How long billy elliot

Play clip Drama Music. Director Stephen Daldry. Lee Hall. Top credits Director Stephen Daldry. See more at IMDbPro.

Clip Photos Top cast Edit. Jamie Bell Billy as Billy. Julie Walters Mrs. Wilkinson as Mrs. Jean Heywood Grandma as Grandma. Jamie Draven Tony as Tony. Gary Lewis Dad as Dad. Stuart Wells Michael as Michael. Nicola Blackwell Debbie as Debbie.

Carol McGuigan Librarian as Librarian. Colin MacLachlan Mr. Wilkinson as Mr. Wilkinson as Colin Maclachlan. Denny Ferguson Miner as Miner. Stephen Daldry.

More like this. Watch options. Storyline Edit. County Durham, during the endless, violent strike against the Margaret Thatcher closure of British coal mines. Widower Jackie Elliot Gary Lewis and his firstborn, fellow miner Tony Jamie Draven , take a dim view of eleven-year-old second son Billy's Jamie Bell's poor record in boxing class, which worsens when they discover he sneakily transferred to the neighboring, otherwise girls-only-attended ballet class.

Only one schoolmate, closet-gay Michael Caffrey Stuart Wells , encourages Billy's desire, aroused by the teacher, Mrs. Wilkinson Dame Julie Walters , who judged him talented enough for private lessons, to train and try out for the world-renowned Royal Ballet audition. By Alex Finnis Reporter. May 31, am Updated am. Since its release in Billy Elliot has become a British classic. Sign up and get all of i's film, TV and book reviews in one place, every week Email address is invalid Thank you for subscribing!

Sorry, there was a problem. More from Culture. Use of sexual British slang words like "puffer" and "fanny. Frequent strong language from all characters, including children. Many uses of "f--k," "s--t," "hell," "ass," "crap," "wanker," "for God's sake," and more.

Drinking by both adult and underage characters and smoking, references to alcoholism, adult characters tipsy. Parents need to know that the uplifting dramedy Billy Elliot is rated R primarily for language an edited version was released on DVD with a PG rating, but it's no longer easy to find for rental or sale -- everyone in the movie uses extremely strong language all the time.

There are also references to transvestism and homosexuality, some discussion of sex among young characters, and a brief glimpse of bare buttocks when one character moons another. Some teens may be upset by the way that family members treat each other -- they're insulting, neglectful, and cruel, and one parent hits a child and threatens another -- but the overall takeaway is a heartwarming one. Add your rating See all 19 parent reviews. Add your rating See all 34 kid reviews.

Amidst the tension, year-old Billy Jamie Bell , whose main sport is boxing, is pulled into a ballet lesson taught by Mrs. Wilkinson Julie Walters. Billy discovers that ballet both answers and creates a need in him that he can no more name than he can resist.

Billy lives with his father Gary Lewis , brother, and grandmother; his mother died the year before, his grandmother is forgetful, and his father and brother are on strike. With the adults busy with their own problems, Billy is able to keep his new activity a secret When his father eventually finds out, he's furious and tells his son to quit. But Billy has to dance -- and it might even be his way to bigger and better things. This film is well above average -- tender, funny, and touching.

Bell is extraordinary as Billy, and Lewis is first-rate as the father who makes an unbearably painful sacrifice in order to give his son the chance he never had. Director Stephen Daldry has a real gift for visual storytelling, and it's on display in Billy Elliot. A chase through hanging laundry, dance lessons in a boxing ring, and the opening shot of Billy on a trampoline are images that are fresh and memorable. Families can talk about how the stress of painful external circumstances like can affect family members' ability to be kind to one other in Billy Elliot.

Why was the strike so important to Billy's dad and brother? How was that like -- and not like -- the importance of ballet to Billy? Why did Mrs. Wilkinson want to help Billy? Why was Billy's interest in ballet so terrifying to him? What made him change his mind? What do you think of Billy's dad's response when Billy says he's scared? What does it tell us that Billy's father had never been out of Durham, and that Billy had never been to see Durham's famous cathedral?

How does Billy Elliot demonstrate perseverance? Why is this an important character strength? Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

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