However, that could possibly lead to them getting caught and harassed. It’s possible that Billy could return his feelings, which would be what he wants. Watching the scene, the fear in Michael’s eyes as he decides whether or not to make a move is palpable. It’s clear that Michael’s devotion to Billy isn’t just for friendship, he’s harboring a crush on Billy. Just as he didn’t judge Michael’s crossdressing, Billy also doesn’t shame Michael when he kisses him late one night. Michael: You won't tell anyone, will you? Michael: What gave you that impression?īilly: Just because I like ballet, doesn't mean I'm a poof, you know. He's such a charmer as he teaches his gay best friend, Michael, to dance after he comes out to him.īilly: What are you doing? Once again, The Film Experience sings the praises of Jamie Bell's performance in Billy Elliot. Is Michael getting abused by his Father? It’s nice to see Billy be accepting and not judgmental of Michael’s experimentation with gender expression.
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It’s an odd thread to acknowledge and never return to. Billy asks no follow up questions, and neither does the movie. When Billy asks if they will get in trouble, Michael reveals that his Dad would dress him up as a girl when no one is around. He does let Michael put lipstick on him though. Michael tries to get Billy into a dress as well, but Billy lightly turns down the offer. Rather than mock him, Billy accepts it and hangs out with Michael. When Michael opens the door, Billy is stunned to see Michael in a dress and lipstick. One day, Billy goes over to visit Michael at home. While everyone else, both male and female, wanted to mock Billy for starting ballet, Michael was the only one who was genuinely inquisitive. Yet, loyalty was the cornerstone of his friendship with Billy. Michael always displayed idiosyncrasies that made him an outsider. Still, the one person who has always had Billy’s back is Michael. Wilkinson (Julie Walters - part of the Supporting Actress Smackdown). However, Billy finds a supporter in dance teacher Mrs. One day he follows his heart and takes ballet lessons, which angers his Dad (Gary Lewis), who is also struggling with the miner’s strike alongside his other son, Tony (Jamie Draven). Young Billy doesn’t have the talent for boxing, but always finds his eyes darting over to the ballet lessons going on in the same gym. Michael: So you're going to ballet every week?īilly: Fuck off, they're only for lasses. Turning looks, stunting pretty, she's THAT bitch from a small coal mining town in Northern England. Needless to say, I second all the points he made in his article.įor the purposes of this column, we want to look specifically at what the film has to say about sexuality, specifically as it relates to Billy’s best friend, Michael Caffrey (Stuart Wells). Claudio recently gave us a beautiful write-up on Jamie Bell’s performance as the title character as part of his Almost There column.
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Set in 1984 rural England amidst the coal miner strike, Billy Elliot follows one boy as he defies his family’s expectations of him and pursues dancing instead of boxing. What do our interests say about our sexuality? From sports to dancing, so many hobbies carry with them gendered expectations. The face of coming out to your crush, who's also a male ballet dancer.By: Christopher James In preparation for the next Smackdown Team Experience is traveling back to 2000.