Billy Elliot
Even from the very first scene, I was hooked. There is little more adorable than Billy jumping and running and having fun. My favourite scene in the the whole movie might be when he nails the pirouette and dances around the whole neighborhood in joy.
After Billy is forced to stop taking Ballet lessons, it seemed perfect to go visit his teacher, but the scene with her daughter felt so odd to me. Where did that come from? Why didn't it go anywhere? The movie could have easily cut it out.
The father's character development also seemed a bit sudden to me when it happened, but considering the teacher's persuasion and the passionate little boy, I guess I can understand it. My favorite scene might also be when he breaks the strike to fund Billy's audition. What he said was so simple, but so straightforward and heart breaking. Billy is just 11 years old. He doesn't deserve this conformity nor poverty.
I also liked the element of his best friend. Especially when Billy just smiled after he asked to keep the kiss a secret. It brought this domestic sense of acceptance.
This movie would have made me laugh and sob had there not been a cat sleeping on my stomach. But it was moving, and it was telling, and it was nuanced and I could spend hours analysing the characters and the root of their actions. The only reason why I can't rate this five stars is because it's not something that will stick with me. I won't lay and ponder about this movie in the evenings or recite the characters in my diary. But it was good.