Billy Elliot MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +3 Content: -3

Set in a coal-mining town in rural England, BILLY ELLIOT is a charming new film about a boy and his love for dance. Eleven year-old Billy Elliot (Jamie Bell) is not the typical young boy in his town. While most boys enjoy football, wrestling and, most of all, boxing, Billy isnt very good at or interested in any of them. But when he catches a glimpse of Mrs. Wilkinsons (Julie Walters) ballet class, he decides to try it out. After coming to grips with the fact that boys can do ballet too, Billy throws himself into it, struggling to learn the complicated moves that the girls so easily pull off. Mrs. Wilkinson begins to see great potential in Billy and recommends he try out for the Royal Ballet School in London. However, when Billys gruff father (Gary Lewis) finds out about his sons passion, Billys dancing future looks doubtful. BILLY ELLIOT is a sweet and endearing movie with a fantastic performance from young Jamie Bell.

Billy seems the kind of youngster that everyone wants. Full of determination and perseverance, and while his dreams and goals arent always in line with father, he decides what he wants and goes after it. Of course, in many minds, any boy wanting to pursue the perceived less-than-manly art of dance, must be a homosexual. Most of the hard-working people in Billys little town share that opinion, so he tries to keep his passion a secret, especially from his father. The film also portrays the strength gained from family, as the Elliots band together during financially hard times and stick by each other no matter what the cost. Sadly, BILLY ELLIOT rates a strong negative acceptability, primarily for foul language, which includes 48 f-words and 13 milder obscenities. Its too bad that such a delightful movie uses so much foul language.

Preview Reviewer: John Adair
Distributor: Universal Pictures, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91606