Billy Elliot - The Film (2000)

Although I had seen Billy Elliot when it first came out and really enjoyed it, I enjoyed it MUCH more this time. Isn't it amazing how at a different time of your life, a film or a book will strike you in a very different way? I was absolutely bawling last night (and alternately laughing-something the Brits do particularly well) and this is now one of my favourite films.

Just to jog your memory, a young boy whose mother has recently died is living with his miner father and brother (who are in the midst of the Thatcher era coal strike of 1984) and his occasionally lucid Grandma and is trying to find his way as an artistic soul in an industrial town in County Durham (Northern England).

When his father's preferred after school activity of boxing doesn't work out, he finds a dance class which suits his interests and abilities much better. However, boys doing ballet in the North of England in 1984 are like aliens walking down the High Street.

Jamie Bell is absolutely transfixing as young Billy. Jamie also grew up in County Durham in a single parent home, learning to dance with his mother and sister but having to hide the fact so as to avoid being called a "poof". He obviously channels this angst as well as his love of dance into this meaty role (he prefers tap to ballet however).

Julie Walters is fab as the all too real, cigarette puffing dance instructor who has her own issues to deal with. She received an Oscar nomination for this wonderful role.

Mrs. Wilkinson: This'll sound strange, Billy, but for some time now I've been thinkin' of the Royal Ballet School.
Billy: Aren't you a bit old, miss?
Mrs. Wilkinson: No, not me... you! I'm the bloody teacher!

The girl who plays Debbie, the dance teacher's daughter is absolutely hysterical.

Debbie: Dad did it with this woman from work but they don't think I know. 
Billy: So what about your mother? Does she have sex?
Debbie: No, she's unfulfilled. That's why she dances.
Billy: She dances instead of sex? Your family's weird! 

Gary Lewis couldn't get any better as the crusty miner pining for his wife and trying to do what is best for his son.

Billy: So, what's it like, like?
Dad: What's what like?
Billy: London.
Dad: I don't know, son. I never made it past Durham.
Billy: Have you never been?
Dad: Why would I want to go to London?
Billy: It's the capital city!
Dad: Well, there are no mines in London.
Billy: Jesus Christ, is that all you think about?

Billy: Just because I like ballet doesn't mean I'm a poof, you know.

Anyway, if you haven't seen this for a while, it's a great "evening in" film. If you have never seen it, you are in for a treat. A few things to note:

1. The accent takes a few minutes to tune your ear to. Don't get discouraged in the first few minutes of the film (or just put the closed captioning on).

2. There is a bit of swearing in Billy Elliot. It is rated R for this reason, so if you are sensitive to this, beware.

3. The word "fanny" means a slightly different area of the nether region in England than it does in North America!

Jane Eyre-Absolutely gorgeous!

Jane Eyre Poster-Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender, Jamie Bell, Judi Dench

I had fairly high hopes for this new Jane Eyre film from what I had already read online, but I must say it was still a lovely surprise.  I took The Squire out for his birthday for dinner and a movie. He knew I really wanted to see this one, even though it was his birthday, so we drove into Toronto to see it (about 80 miles). Although I'm sure anyone in England would think we were mad to travel that far for a film, it was well worth it!

Mia Wasikowska as Jane Eyre

First of all, the theatre we saw it in had what is called UltraAVX. This apparently stands for ultra audio visual experience. Large screen, digital picture, surround sound, comfy rocker seats and reserved seating. What a way to see a film like this. Try to see this film in a movie theatre, even if it isn't UltraAVX, as the feeling of really being in Victorian England has never struck me as it did with Jane Eyre. It just won't be the same at home on a DVD, although it will still be amazing.

Michael Fassbender as Mr. Edward Fairfax Rochester

This film adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's classic novel obviously had to be uber condensed, as it is only 115 minutes long. It rarely feels rushed, however. It opens with Jane running away from Thornfield (sort of the middle of the story), runs until the Rivers family have nursed her back to health and then flashes back to her childhood with the loathsome Reed family. It continues to the dank Lowood School and follows her to Thornfield Hall and her Mr. Rochester (and then back to the Rivers' and beyond). So it rather goes middle-beginning-middle-end, and this works really well to get you involved in the story quickly. I was blinking back tears within minutes of the film starting, which is usually an end-of-film kind of thing. Actually, I was alternately crying and laughing (yes there are a few wonderful funny bits) through the whole film.

Judi Dench as Mrs. Fairfax and Mia Wasikowska as Jane

The photography of Haddon Hall and the moors is breathtaking and really makes this an emotional film. I would have to say that the visuals and the emotion or "heart" in this version are what really struck me. There is wonderful acting in all the parts, including the most heart-breaking Helen and young Jane pair, and the best Adelle ever (constantly chattering in perfect French). The only real Yorkshire accents unfortunately were on the amazing little girls playing Helen and young Jane, which rather underscored for me how in and out the adult actors were with theirs. Sorry, but I notice these things. Kudos also to Judi Dench who is perfection as Mrs. Fairfax and Jamie Bell (Billy Elliot all grown up with whiskers) is very compelling as Jane's "other man", St. John (Sinjun).

Mr. Rochester and Jane in love...

It was only at the very end that I was pining for Toby Stephens and Ruth Wilson. If you grafted on the ending of the 2006 miniseries, and captured a bit of their chemistry too, this version would be hard to beat. But there will never be perfect adaptations of our favourite novels, will there? Lots to love in this one, so enjoy. And I think one of the best compliments I could give this film is that it makes me really want to reread the novel.  And isn't that really what it's all about?



I am feeling rather naughty today, so I am going to add this hilarious "fake" commercial which was uploaded onto Youtube a while ago. It is hilarious but it is rather loud, so turn the sound down if you're not alone!