-"have you noticed anything weird about our Billy lately?" -"What are you after like, a list?"
Billy Elliot was on again this Thursday, and as it usually happens, that movie stayed with me for days. And this time it also inspired this
I love that movie, every second of it. Makes me cry every time, makes me laugh, brings me sweet catharsis at the wonderful, perfect ending. Jamie Bell is just amazing, and the rest of the cast wonderful as well. I love the way the movie develops, from a very low-key place to a very emotional, blow-to-the-gut-at-every-turn place at the second half. I love the way the story deals with the homosexual issue, with Michael there, so obviously a young gay boy in love for the first time, in contrast with Billy who (I believe, you don't have to agree) just wants to dance, and "just because I'm interested in Ballet, doesn't make me a poof, you know". I love their friendship very much.
There's this one scene that I wait for with held breath every time, one scene I can watch and re-watch and it always gets me. I think the way it is shot, edited, and of course performed - is perfect. The way the scene melts into the next one (minute 4:40 to 5:12), is brilliant and so beautiful. Like a song. It indicates the passing of time on one hand, and on the other hand, shows that the emotional state of the character is in the same desperation and anger as it was. Look at Billy's face during those 12 seconds - it's wonderful).
There's also another moment in the beginning of the scene that I really love - when Billy says "I don't want a childhood. I want to be a ballet dancer.", Mrs. Wilkinson gives him a look; it's the first time Billy had actually said that he wants to, seriously wants to, dance.
It's also the first scene we get to actually know something real about Tony, other than the general info about his character (older brother, has no time for Billy, all about the strike). I think I fall in love with him a little each time, even though he's being such a twat. The scene is just that good.
Here, watch for yourself. The scene I'm referring to is from the start of this clip to minute 5:12.
Every time I watch this movie it makes me think about all the years in between Billy leaving on the bus to London, and the Swan Lake lead. I'm sure I'm not the only one who wants to fill in the blanks - the family, life as a lower-class kid in a posh institution, and of course, the ongoing friendship with Michael. There's no doubt that Billy is very important to Michael as a kid, as a gay kid, and as an adult. "I wouldn't have missed this for the world", he says, and that line is worth 200 fics (and yet, I kinda wanna read those fics. Though I won't - I don't feel like going on a hunt for a good, none-slash BE fic. Just the thought makes me tired. I've toyed with the idea of writing one, but... yeah. Just the thought makes me tired).
So anyway, that was the Billy Elliot Love Post. I'm putting together a Ghost Dog - Way of the Samurai Love Post, so stay tuned. More will (maybe) follow.
I love that movie, every second of it. Makes me cry every time, makes me laugh, brings me sweet catharsis at the wonderful, perfect ending. Jamie Bell is just amazing, and the rest of the cast wonderful as well. I love the way the movie develops, from a very low-key place to a very emotional, blow-to-the-gut-at-every-turn place at the second half. I love the way the story deals with the homosexual issue, with Michael there, so obviously a young gay boy in love for the first time, in contrast with Billy who (I believe, you don't have to agree) just wants to dance, and "just because I'm interested in Ballet, doesn't make me a poof, you know". I love their friendship very much.
There's this one scene that I wait for with held breath every time, one scene I can watch and re-watch and it always gets me. I think the way it is shot, edited, and of course performed - is perfect. The way the scene melts into the next one (minute 4:40 to 5:12), is brilliant and so beautiful. Like a song. It indicates the passing of time on one hand, and on the other hand, shows that the emotional state of the character is in the same desperation and anger as it was. Look at Billy's face during those 12 seconds - it's wonderful).
There's also another moment in the beginning of the scene that I really love - when Billy says "I don't want a childhood. I want to be a ballet dancer.", Mrs. Wilkinson gives him a look; it's the first time Billy had actually said that he wants to, seriously wants to, dance.
It's also the first scene we get to actually know something real about Tony, other than the general info about his character (older brother, has no time for Billy, all about the strike). I think I fall in love with him a little each time, even though he's being such a twat. The scene is just that good.
Here, watch for yourself. The scene I'm referring to is from the start of this clip to minute 5:12.
Click to viewEvery time I watch this movie it makes me think about all the years in between Billy leaving on the bus to London, and the Swan Lake lead. I'm sure I'm not the only one who wants to fill in the blanks - the family, life as a lower-class kid in a posh institution, and of course, the ongoing friendship with Michael. There's no doubt that Billy is very important to Michael as a kid, as a gay kid, and as an adult. "I wouldn't have missed this for the world", he says, and that line is worth 200 fics (and yet, I kinda wanna read those fics. Though I won't - I don't feel like going on a hunt for a good, none-slash BE fic. Just the thought makes me tired. I've toyed with the idea of writing one, but... yeah. Just the thought makes me tired).
So anyway, that was the Billy Elliot Love Post. I'm putting together a Ghost Dog - Way of the Samurai Love Post, so stay tuned. More will (maybe) follow.