Strangely, even a good movie can need a different director. BILLY ELLIOT, a film I enjoyed, is well deserving of its praise, but many times is altogether amateurish. And despite good pace, the plot is right out of a TV movie of the week, and on occasion can feel just as thin. The direction is rather ordinary too, hence why I say that a better director should’ve been commissioned. Having someone with more experience would’ve made the difference, but it’s still a fine picture nonetheless. In fact, the familiar theme of overcoming adversity should appeal to many. I’m rather surprised though that the Academy passed on this as much as they did, except for one or two small nods. Usually they eat movies like this up. Not this time, I guess.