Billy Elliot: Overview

The opening frame establishes Durham, 1984 as an impoverished

coal mining town where drastic economic reform measures have
resulted in a dispute between the government (Margaret Thatcher)
and mining unions. This is ushered in a wave of protracted
confrontation between the two.
Daldry interweaves the community plagued by entrenched cultural
attributes of sexism, alcoholism and violence.

Setting:

The death of Billys mother rocks the family in different fashions.

Their grief is not sentimental, however, it is indicated by fleeting
images of photographs, gravestones, hallucinations and a sobbing
father in front of a Christmas fire that incinerates the shattered
remnants of her piano.
Conducive to this, Billy is left to care for his senile and doddering
grandmother who he reveres.
She frequently muses that she could have been a professional
dancer and this recurring motif of missed opportunity reinforces
Billys chance to realise his dreams.
Dance becomes a symbol of endurance and perseverance.
Gender conflict:
Male parochialism is prominent in regard to upholding socially
endorsed gender expectations stringently. Billys passion of dance
is grossly inconsistent with Durhams coal mining community where
rigid gender roles restrict the society.
Durham is a patriarchal community where gender roles are firmly
entrenched.
Sexuality is explored extensively
Masculinity becomes a constituent of Jackie Elliots personal identity
crisis as he struggles to adapt to rapid social reform.

Characterisation: Billy

The impetus for Billys fortuitous love for ballet is spurred by his
observation of the ballet class following his disinterested display of
boxing.

His natural rhythm, focus and energy soon highlight him from the
others.

He earns the responders admiration by attempting to cope with

social expectations as well with pressures of life.
Billys relationship with Mrs. Wilkinson (dance instructor) is at times
tumultuous, however, she is rejuvenated by her relationship with
Billy, for in playing a pivotal role in his life, she has rediscovered an
obsolete part of herself.

Jackie Elliot:

Billys father undergoes substantial transformation and growth

He is perceived by the audience to be insolent and callous,
however, as the film progresses his attitude towards Billys
ambitions becomes his solace.

Both sons Tony and Billy espouse a domineering parental

relationship with their father as they are involved in several
confronting altercations.

Mrs Wilkinson:

She is portrayed as sardonic and domineering, but her blunt

honesty is what Billy discovers to be his sense of direction and
hope.

Her intentions are merely altruistic in facilitating Billys passion for

ballet; she experiences a self-discovery and is rejuvenated by the
momentous euphoria.

Tony:
Tony is a belligerent, aggressive and insensitive character for the
majority of the film. However, this is contrasted as viewers realise
his bravado is a faade and conceals a more compassionate and
empathetic character or personality.

Themes that are prevalent in this film:

Ambition

Determination and perseverance are qualities that are

embedded and demonstrated by Billy. It represents the maxim
or dictum of the film.
Albeit Billy suffers immense grief, poverty and isolation, these
difficulties are surmounted by the redemptive power of family
unity.
In portraying these experiences, Daldry depicts the changing
filial relationship between father and son at different srages of
the film.
How individualism is articulated through identity
Extent of sacrifice
The stereotypical issues and concerns associated with
masculinity