1
Billy Elliot on Sat Oct 09, 2010 11:04 am
JonSpangler
Pirate
Posts: 272
Location: Illinois
Points: 5019
Joined: 2009-10-22
This seems like the best place to post it since there is no theater or play threads around here.
I saw Billy Elliot last night in Chicago. Its the story of a young boy who through a misunderstanding finds himself at a Ballet class and is made to practice. He ends up liking Ballet and finds himself a natural at it. The story is set during the 1984 Britsh Miners strike.
Last night seemed to be understudy night with much of the main cast off for the day. The actors playing Billy, his dad, his brother were wonderfully played though and I wouldnt of know the difference. There is a little chuckle in seeing Billy played by a asian but with his "parents" both white. He is a hell of a dancer and singer though.
The rest of the cast was excellent. The Ballet teacher as a replacement mother for Billy (his died but makes some appearences) is great and all the neighbors and friends of Billy really give the impression that all the charaters are a extended family. All looking out for each other.
The songs by Elton John were very good. Highlights include "Solidarity", "Dear Billy", and "Expressing Yourself". The last one shined as a song starting out as a song in support of men wearing womens clothing and evolving to a almost Monty Python type production with a giant pair of dancing Trousers.
If there is one complaint about the movie is its that Billy Elliots story (as a character) is not that interesting, or at least its very standard and predictable. Billy as a character kind of coasts through the movie plot wise. Going from someone who doesnt like Ballet to a expert it seems overnight (though 2 months story) There is a much greater story in Billy Elliot. Its of the Miners strike. The strike which opens the movie and is a deep thread throughout. The stories intersect and actually have dance numbers between them. When you look at the sacrifices the Miners made, especially Billys dad and brother, Billy's experience seems insignificant. Adding the kinda downer ending of the Miner plot I found myself much more involved with them then Billy Elliot.
Still it was a great production. The sets move and transform taking you to new locations in a intersting way. The dancing was excellent, the songs catchy and the cast, especailly the minor characters, really shined. I'd reccomend it to (almost, see below) anyone.
3/4 Stars for me
**Note**
While not complaints there are 2 issues that should be said. First is that there is a lot of swearing in the movie. Enough to pump it to rated R movie levels. Therefore if you have real young kids you might want to leave them home. Didn't bother me though.
2nd is there is ALOT of smoking done in the movie. Again does not bother me in a general sense but being in the 4th row I could smell it often. While there are herbal cigs I bet if you have alergies or bad reactions to smoke you might want to be farther back. There are scenes with 15 characters puffing at once. You WILL notice is up front.
I saw Billy Elliot last night in Chicago. Its the story of a young boy who through a misunderstanding finds himself at a Ballet class and is made to practice. He ends up liking Ballet and finds himself a natural at it. The story is set during the 1984 Britsh Miners strike.
Last night seemed to be understudy night with much of the main cast off for the day. The actors playing Billy, his dad, his brother were wonderfully played though and I wouldnt of know the difference. There is a little chuckle in seeing Billy played by a asian but with his "parents" both white. He is a hell of a dancer and singer though.
The rest of the cast was excellent. The Ballet teacher as a replacement mother for Billy (his died but makes some appearences) is great and all the neighbors and friends of Billy really give the impression that all the charaters are a extended family. All looking out for each other.
The songs by Elton John were very good. Highlights include "Solidarity", "Dear Billy", and "Expressing Yourself". The last one shined as a song starting out as a song in support of men wearing womens clothing and evolving to a almost Monty Python type production with a giant pair of dancing Trousers.
If there is one complaint about the movie is its that Billy Elliots story (as a character) is not that interesting, or at least its very standard and predictable. Billy as a character kind of coasts through the movie plot wise. Going from someone who doesnt like Ballet to a expert it seems overnight (though 2 months story) There is a much greater story in Billy Elliot. Its of the Miners strike. The strike which opens the movie and is a deep thread throughout. The stories intersect and actually have dance numbers between them. When you look at the sacrifices the Miners made, especially Billys dad and brother, Billy's experience seems insignificant. Adding the kinda downer ending of the Miner plot I found myself much more involved with them then Billy Elliot.
Still it was a great production. The sets move and transform taking you to new locations in a intersting way. The dancing was excellent, the songs catchy and the cast, especailly the minor characters, really shined. I'd reccomend it to (almost, see below) anyone.
3/4 Stars for me
**Note**
While not complaints there are 2 issues that should be said. First is that there is a lot of swearing in the movie. Enough to pump it to rated R movie levels. Therefore if you have real young kids you might want to leave them home. Didn't bother me though.
2nd is there is ALOT of smoking done in the movie. Again does not bother me in a general sense but being in the 4th row I could smell it often. While there are herbal cigs I bet if you have alergies or bad reactions to smoke you might want to be farther back. There are scenes with 15 characters puffing at once. You WILL notice is up front.
