Angela's Ashes / Stepmom / Billy Elliott DVD

Advantages: good all-round film
Disadvantages: none really

...Billy Elliott (or Dancer) I sat down to watch this film fully expecting to hate it. After all, it was about some boy wanting to dance, what could be so interesting? I was pleasantly surprised when I watched it. The Cast Billy Elliott - Jamie Bell As the title of the film suggests, Billy Elliott is the star of the film. He is an eleven-year-old living in Durham. He is a normal young boy and attends a boxing club. However, he soon discovers ballet dancing and aspires to be a professional ballet dancer. Jamie Bell has since starred in some minor roles in TV series and films. He comes from a strong dancing background and was selected from an audition of over two thousand people. Jackie Elliott - Gary Lewis Billy's dad has been a single parent ever since his wife died. Very little is said about Billy's mum but there is the odd mention... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Shows sensitivity and human emotions.
Disadvantages: Not everyone's cup of tea.

...I chose to write about this film today because it is a film that I enjoyed enormously. Set in a working class British background, and typical miner's community, Billy Elliott is a young lad that has dreams and vision for his future, although his father's views of future are different to his. An unknown actor was chosen for the part of Billy and I don't think that the film would have worked with a well known actor, because it is about a child from working class roots who is looking to develop a career in Dancing, and it is the innocence and naivity of a new actor's first major role that makes the story believeable, and credible. Billy secretly joins a dancing class and his teacher, Mrs. Wilkinson, played by Julie Walters, believes in his desire to succeed against all odds. I don't want to spoil the film for others who may wish to watch... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: You may Laugh
Disadvantages: You may Cry

...Angelas Ashes was a film I heard a lot about but have never got around to actually watching, when I managed to pick it up on special offer (5 DVDs for £20) I was really looking forward to watching it – I was not disappointed. The film is based on a biography written by Frank McCourt (which he won the Pulitzer prize for!), the film was directed by Alan Parker and released in 1999. The story opens in Brooklyn in 1935, where a daughter is born to Malachy and Angela MCourt who already have four boys. When the baby dies at two days old, the family are obviously devastated and return to Limerick in Ireland in the midst of the depression. The McCourt’s are not well received back in Ireland by Angela’s Catholic relatives – since her husband is a Protestant who can’t hold down a job and would rather put beer in his belly than food on the table... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful