MovieChat Forums > Billy Elliot (2000) Discussion > Do Americans Like This?

Do Americans Like This?

posted 17 years ago by thependragon-1
89 replies | jump to latest

Just wondered whether anyone from the US likes Billy Elliot when it is so British in both it's storyline and use of music. I remember a friend from the US telling me that he had no idea what the minor's strike was and that he had never even heard of T-Rex. It's a shame that one of the most influental bands of 70s didn't have more success in America. As for the movie in my opinion it's one of the most cleverly put together British films that's been made in recent years but still didn't manage to pick up an Academy Award.

www.sbwebspace.co.uk

[–] BrokenHarlot 17 years ago

I am from Connecticut and California and absolutely love this film. I saw it in early 2003 when I was a senior in college and immediately bought the soundtrack. Billy Elliot introduced me to the Jam and T. Rex, which is now my all-time favorite band, so I am forever indebted to it.

In general I find British films- like this one, Withnail & I, Little Voice, etc.- to have an effortless cleverness to them that remains unparalleled in any other nation's cinema. Directors like Mike Leigh and Shane Meadows are truly visionary artists who should get their due credit.

"You four-eyed pile of s h i t."
"Pile of s h i t has a THOUSAND eyes!"

[–] MysteryReaderReturns 17 years ago

I'm an American & I love this film.

[–] januaryicecream 17 years ago

I love it. It's one of my favorite films of all time. I rave about it to everyone I know, though most people don't feel as enthusiastic as I do :(

[–] Ridd 17 years ago

The miners strike was very important and one of the main points of the movie.

If you're interested in the strike or Thatchers Britain, then this is a good article - www.fifthinternational.org/index.php?id=166,741,0,0,1,0

Its interesting, but a little bit too theoretical. Its definitely worth a read though!

[–] MysteryReaderReturns 17 years ago

Thanks Ridd

[–] charliewolfe18 17 years ago

I'm a jersey girl and me and my sisters lllooovvveee this movie and often quote it

[–] carmencapel69 17 years ago

Im just a little bit curios why you only want to know what americans thought about the movie... what about the rest of the world? :)

[–] thependragon-1 17 years ago

Of course, I'd be interested what other people around the world think. My main interet in American opinions comes from having some American friends who could not relate to the film because they were not familiar with the miner's strike and were also not familiar with most of the sondtrack. So I really wanted to know what other people thought.

What is your opinion of the film?

www.sbwebspace.co.uk

[–] carmencapel69 17 years ago

i knew nothing bout the strikes.. or t-rex! but i do now so thats good i suppose... i thought the film was nice anyway... tho... why did billy first startwit the whole ballet thing? he didnt even seem to like it at first, not being able to keep up with the rest of the group and with the very strict teacher etc!

[–] shewolfinlondon 17 years ago

I'm American, but I had no problem with this movie, because A - I listen to a lot of British bands, and B - I've studied British history, so I got the strike.

___
And he was Naive.

[–] kincaid67a 17 years ago

I'm American and I loved this movie. (unfortunately i think differtly than many Americans) Never heard of the strike until after the movie I learned more of it. I recognized all british songs in this movie. They play it all the time on the oldies classic rock radio station.

[–] ashleythewriter 13 years ago

I like finding new music by watching movies so it's a plus for me if I'm not familiar with the soundtrack.

However, I was familiar with T-Rex. This movie's soundtrack is great.

[–] Bellatrice 17 years ago

Please don't think that the Oscars are a benchmark for quality! There are so many wonderful movies that aren't nominated in any category.

I've come across this issue - will Americans get it - before. I'm not sure why this is a problem but here in NY (I can't speak for the rest of the country), multiculturalism is so ingrained it's not even noticed. I'm not sure whether this translates to greater cultural and ethnic diversity in the U.S. or the fact that it is a huge country comprised of 50 states, not just one. Many of the states have distinct ethnic and cultural roots, e.g. many Minnesotans are of Scandinavan ancestry. If movie-goings were limited to Hollywood films then we'd be in a cultural wasteland of MBA-produced junk. Luckily we have many many wonderful independent filmmakers outside the Hollywood system (which is a financial enterprise having very little to do with art). Foreign films (the good ones) are very much appreciated. Just because I didn't know what a "chook" was before I watched "Muriel's Wedding" didn't mean that I didn't get the movie. On the contrary it's one of my all-time favorites.

I do wonder why so many Europeans have trouble with the concept of cross-culturalism. Is it because there is some subconscious perception that if it isn't European then it doesn't count?

Regards from Brooklyn NY

[–] agravaine 17 years ago

American here as well and love the film...

even if Americans don't know the specifics about this strike many Americans can identify wiht families struggling through hard times and strikes. I don't know how that could stand in the way of not understanding the film. Both aspects are stuff that speak across cultures.

myspace.com/Agravaine
http://www.youtube.com/user/AgravaineNYR

[–] scruppyandthecoolcats 15 years ago

I agree. People in America go on strike all the time.

[–] filmprincess 17 years ago

Just wondered whether anyone from the US likes Billy Elliot when it is so British in both it's storyline and use of music. I remember a friend from the US telling me that he had no idea what the minor's strike was and that he had never even heard of T-Rex. It's a shame that one of the most influental bands of 70s didn't have more success in America. As for the movie in my opinion it's one of the most cleverly put together British films that's been made in recent years but still didn't manage to pick up an Academy Award.

I'm American and I adored this film! I'll have to admit the accents were sometimes tough for me to follow, but I watched it again to make sure I didn't miss anything. Actually, once you tune in to the accents, you really don't have a problem. At least that was true for me! In any event, just adored the movie and its message! And I agree; I still think it should have won some type of Academy Award. I get so annoyed with the Academy for snubbing so many wonderful films and handing out awards to movies which, to me, sometimes seem like mediocre films. (Don't get me wrong, they do have moments when they get it right!) Guess it's all rather subjective though. I don't know, I just thought it deserved an Oscar of some sort! Jmho, of course! fp

"Save me, Sabrina fair. You're the only one who can."

[–] flashwok 17 years ago

I am an american and thought i was fantastic, and most americans who have an appreciation for British culture tend to pick and choose the best of British TV and cinema too.

The common mis-perception about americans as that they do not like stuff from other countries.

Well this is true of most anglicized countries when it comes from places like France and Italy and Germany...I mean, how much great cultural stuff comes from those countries in the modern age? Countries like that made their greatest contributions to world art in days past...

But American and English film and music have since the 1960s and 70s been the most well-known artistic forms. (IMO)

Anyway, back to the topic. I love many british things, from old TV (Monty Python and the Young Ones) to Manchester United, to Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, The Stones, etc. to the new less stuffy British film industry that has produced some great movies focused on regular Britons and not the Merchant/Ivory type of films.

Films like Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, The Full Monty, Billy Elliot to name a few, brought a refreshing look at the lives of Britons that were not always shown on film, and they are wonderfully done.

[–] Samuraibro 17 years ago

I'm American and my family (and friends) love this movie!
The only thing I don't (sometimes) understand is what they're
saying becuase their accents are so heavy. (I ADORE Irish accents)

[–] flashwok 17 years ago

But they aren't Irish accents^^^^^^

????

:)

The father is Scottish though.

[–] Samuraibro 17 years ago

They AREN'T??? Well, either way, I do love their
accents. :)

[–] flashwok 17 years ago

no they are all English accents except for the father, whose accent is Scottish

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] Erin-Leigh-14 11 years ago

hahahahahah that makes so much sense!! i've watched this movie close on 100 times and always thought, "why doesn't that actor try harder with his accent? he sounds Scottish, not English!" without giving any thought to the possibility that the character is FROM Scotland! duh!!!! sometimes i miss the silliest things

[–] NorthernHippy 11 years ago

The only thing I don't (sometimes) understand is what they're
saying becuase their accents are so heavy. (I ADORE Irish accents)

LMAO someone mentioned this post in another thread.

But yeah...they aren't Irish accents, they're north east English accents.

"I won't cry for you, my mascara's too expensive"

[–] sara4886 17 years ago

I don't know about other Americans, but I love this movie!

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] Sckabby 16 years ago

You know, not all Americans are fat slobs who only drive Chevies and think "Everybody Loves Raymond" was the funniest show on TV.

Some of us have traveled, and have a bit of understanding of other cultures. Some of us do "get" that different regions of England have different dialects and slang which we make an effort to understand. Some of us know who T.Rex was and even have Marc Bolan music (gasp!) our collections.

So kindly don't lump us all together.

Sckabby