Okay, I Watched Billy Elliot...Thoughts!

Okay, so I know what you're thinking: Jessica, horror queen, watching Billy Elliot? What?! I get it, but my mom was visiting and wanted to watch something "feel-good." So, I obliged. And you know what? I actually kinda liked it. I mean, it's definitely not my usual fare, but it had this realness to it that got to me. The whole backdrop of the miner's strike was way more intense than I expected, honestly. Like, you SEE the struggle, and it's not sugarcoated. The scene where Billy's dad pawns his mom's jewelry? Gut-wrenching. And the contrast between that gritty reality and Billy's passion for ballet was just so damn compelling. You're rooting for him so hard to break free from it all, even though you know it's an uphill battle. Jamie Bell was incredible, by the way. You totally buy him as this awkward, toughened kid who just wants to dance. And Mrs. Wilkinson? Loved her. She was tough but saw something special in him. It reminded me a little of a more heartwarming version of Whiplash, if that makes sense? (lol maybe not). Anyway, it's a good movie. Not exactly something I'd rewatch every weekend, but definitely worth checking out, even if you're a horror fanatic like me! Maybe I'm softening up in my old age... Anyone else seen it? What did you guys think? Was I the only one surprised by how emotionally invested I got? Seriously, the part where he gets accepted to the Royal Ballet School...almost cried. Don't judge!