* * * out of 4.

Rating: Null/10 (27 September 2002)

Wonderful film about a young boy named Billy Elliot (Jamie Bell) who longs to be a ballet dancer instead of a boxer, but meets stern resentment from his father (Gary Lewis) over this choice. Julie Walter stars a ballet teacher who helps Billy learn the ballet. Moves along at a nice pace and features many touching scenes in which Billy comes of age. Well drawn out characterizations let us get to know Billy's family and his few friends and just how much Billy loves the ballet. However, Julie Walter's (in a terrific performance) character is removed way too early on.
Rated R; Profanity.