Response to Billy Elliot by Emily Wertkin

The thing that struck me the most about Billy Elliott was how Billy Elliott dedicated himself to his dream and how once his father came around, he did whatever it took to get Billy to his dream. He went against what society told him to do about striking for the mines and got back to work to be able to help Billy with his dream. After seeing how accepting Billy's dad was about Billy's dream later in the movie, many other people in the town chipped in with support to help billy along. It was so exciting to see everyone support towards the end of the movie. I think the father-son bond that Billy and his dad developed through the movie was beyond exceptional. You can really see how the dad would do anything for Billy. Especially because the Mom died, Billy's dad really stepped up. Billy's brother is a little less involved than the Dad at first but by the end, going to see Billy's performance was a major attitude change for him. Other people like his friend Michael were also so supportive but Michael was supportive from the get go, with Michael you don't see a change in his supportiveness for Billy, like you do with Billy's brother and Dad.

I really respect Billy for how strong he was through the time when his family wasn't so accepting. He was really strong for being able to go through that basically on his own. I don't know what I would do if I was alone through something to hard. Your dad is the one person most people try to live up to and honor. But when your dad is so against your dream it really puts you in a tough position. Billy was strong through his difficult time and in the end he really proved his dad wrong and gave the honor and respect he was looking for.

Billy's Dad reminds me of my dad in certain ways. When my parents got divorced, at my Dad's house he really had to step up and take on some of the "mom" roles that he wasn't involved in before. He cooked, cleaned and dealt with driving us to and from school. He got married about 5 years ago so he has to deal with much less of that now but at first he really did have to step up. Also, I know that whatever I need or want my dad will help me achieve it. He supports me through everything I do and helps me along the way with everything I wish for. Unlike Billy's dad my dad wouldn't judge me for any certain activity that I want to do and support me all the way through it.