Gender Identity In Billy Elliot

Rating: Null/10 (6 May 2007)

During a time of a Minor Strike in 1984 acknowledging self purpose was the last thing on Billy Elliot's mind. The film Billy Elliot takes the audience through the internal personal battle of a young boy named Billy and the struggle to hide his secret talent and love for Ballet from his family and friends because of the boundaries set by society dealing with gender and sexual identity. The assumption that male dancers must be homosexual and essentially being compared to the stereotype of what is considered "female" has always been an issue. Billy Elliot embraces these qualities and turns their falsity into fuel for self fulfillment.
The vibe from the film initially distinguishes male and female confinements from the first main scene. This is displayed by the building where character Billy, played by Jamie Bell, boxes and the ballet class is held. It's no surprise that there are no female boxers or male ballerina taking lessons. The boys were all promptly informed to not look at the girls in the ballet class because they were either looking at them in a sexual way or be considered a homosexual for enjoying the sight of ballet. One theme occurring in the movie was the relationship between Billy and friend Michael, played by Stuart Wells. Their friendship was not sexual in that Billy was not gay despite the fact that Michael was. Michael asks him "are you a puffer" a slang term referring to homosexuality, again displaying this idea that if his friend is a Ballet dancer he must be homosexual. In one scene where both kids are in the gym on Christmas Eve, Michael has on a tutu and Billy is dancing around. Billy's father walks in and sees the two together thinking that something must be going on between them. The most important battle Billy has to face in the film is between his family and his personal acceptance. At first Billy conceals his new found love for ballet because he knows how his father and brothers will react. It is not until Billy finally gains the self confidence and esteem for himself that he can defend himself to his family. Originally with the news of Billy, Jackie Elliot, his father played by Gary Lewis, is in tears. But gradually with the help of Billy and his dance teacher his family is not only accepting but encouraging of Billy's talent and goal of attending The Royal Ballet school.
By the end of the film Billy Elliot, the audience could easily be in tears with its happy ending. The film is about gender identity and breaking down the boundaries set by stereotypes in our society. Determining what is feminine and masculine plays a large role in our lives. The world of dance breaks those boundaries showing that not just woman are graceful and elegant dancers but so are men. And men should not be demeaned or judged because of their involvement with anything that is considered "feminine".