Billy Elliot

In terms of screenwriting, it's a simple small-town tale about a talented boy who wants to make his dream come true at any cost, and in order to do so, he'll not only have to undergo hardships due to his family background and his considerably choleric father, but the socio-political situation in 1980s Britain doesn't help either, which, by the way, contrasts quite well with the gentle yet hard-working nature of ballet. I don’t quite understand all the musings about it here, because there’s certainly nothing novel, though this is a proper, intimate British comedy with a positive vibe. (02/09/2017)

It's been a long time since I've come across a film that brought me to tears in the positive sense of the word. Until yesterday. I didn't feel that I was being emotionally blackmailed, and even if I was, I could forgive this film for everything. Emotions, that's what I love about movies. Thanks Daldry for a beautiful experience. (04/08/2005)

Hayao Miyazaki is a master of animation, James Cameron is a master of the spectacular, and Stephen Daldry is a master of drama. What this guy can convey in his films, that's something you don't see every day. Compared to The Hours and The Reader, Billy Elliot is a little less bleak and shocking, but it's more fun and cool. The film is dominated by excellent performances from Jamie Bell and Julie Walters, along with great music and a peppy script. I really liked the straightforward style of storytelling, the rushes of emotion and the amount of verve. In short, even if Daldry stuck it out after The Reader, there will never be a better drama director ... period. (27/12/2010)

Billy Elliot crushed me mentally in such a way that for the first time in the movie theatre I was ashamed of my emotional manifestations. I cried half the film. It reminded me of a beautifully filmed psychotherapy... The beautiful story of adolescence and self-awareness of an English boy may well appeal more to the male part of the population; indeed, I do not know of a better film about a son's relationship with his father, of fighting conventions and prejudices. I just found a piece of my dilemmas and repressed pains in Billy Elliot. A great piece in all respects. It functions as a decent social comedy, as a personal and social drama, as well as a sweet-hearted balsam on the soul... (16/02/2004)

The story often borders on kitsch, and especially at the beginning I really felt like I was wearing a ballet tutu, but gradually everything turns out nicely, and while I initially sympathized with the views of the uncompromising father, Billy's persistence and passion eventually made me sympathize with his character and dream. I have some reservations about Bell's performance, but that's the case with almost every child, but the other actors make up for it. It's probably been a long time since I've seen a film with such a well-defined and precise script, and the execution in the end appealed to me, which certainly can't be ignored. 80% (26/01/2013)