Utterly charming

Rating: 10/10 (29 January 2001)

The story's good, the writing's intelligent, funny, and moving but not sentimental, and the acting's top-notch (especially Billy and Billy's father). The dancing is very good, but not so great it isn't believable for a talented and torn eleven-year-old. The backdrop -- the coal miners' strike -- isn't hidden away or whitewashed, but it isn't allowed to overshadow Billy's story, either. It merely... enhances it.
Absolutely wonderful movie, highly reminiscent of another favorite of mine, "Brassed off". But I think Billy's story just might be a little bit stronger, more powerful.