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.

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[–] PinkAnthem 12 years ago

To the OP, I live in Michigan in the US and I absolutely love the film. I watch it whenever I see that it's on television. I love the meaning of the film. Be true to who you are and don't let anyone tell you otherwise! It is a very inspiring film and possibly for any father out there who have seen it, maybe won't be so hard on their sons when they want to do something that is construed as feminine.

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[–] shred-com 12 years ago

Of course Americans like this film.
Did you see what The King's Speech grossed in America? It was a huge hit. And you can't get much more British then that.

[–] ms-zanadu 12 years ago

I'm American and I just watched this wonderful gem of a movie On-Demand for free for the very first time . I wanted to see it years ago when it first came out but never got the chance till now . Well better late than never I guess lol . Thanks thependragon-1 for your subject post .

[–] PotassiumMan 12 years ago

Of course! I'm an American and I loved it.

[–] Zuider_Zee 11 years ago

I liked it a great deal. I had to use CC to watch it but it was a terrific film.

[–] Erin-Leigh-14 11 years ago

another way of looking at it is that this movie, which is relatable to so many people in different contexts (don't most of us struggle with a desire to do something that goes against what a loved one would rather us do?), has exposed those people to a great band they didn't have the opportunity to enjoy before :)

[–] forallpracticalpurposes1 11 years ago

I'm American and I loved it. It is one of my favorite movies.
I also did not know what the miners strike was all about - and still really do not - but I don't think I need to know to appreciate the film.
Once I got past the difficult accents I enjoyed it immensely.

-LeLu

[–] HelveticaFont 11 years ago

His dad is from Glasgow but are the regional English accents that difficult?

Billy Elliot was about the strikes but there's a film called Brassed Off which is about the actual closer of the mines.

[–] forallpracticalpurposes1 11 years ago

I cannot speak for everyone but for me they were. I watched the movie with subtitles which helped a lot. The most understandable one was the dance teacher.

-LeLu

[–] MoviemanCin 9 years ago

I'm an American and I liked it a lot. I like British films, and i like The Clash. Some of us over on this side of the pond are paying attention.

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[–] liscarkat (19418) 8 years ago

I think it was a miners' strike. Minors, on the other hand, carried on. Sorry it took an American to explain it to you.