Well, it’s interesting. Very often, when I see a comedy or escapist movie, I feel the “hero” is actually someone I can’t admire as a person, and other people tell me I’m being a big wet blanket, I’m taking it too seriously, etc. etc.
But somewhat surprisingly, I like this movie. I agree that Billy’s actions are not to be condoned. But I take it as a cautionary tale. It’s a great study of a person who does not grasp the concepts of obligation, of consistency between what you say to others and what you actually do. Or of the fact that while it’s understandable that the fantasy world is more dramatic and exciting, life in the real world does involve some tedium and a mature person just has to accept that.
Perhaps as I watch the movie and enjoy it, maybe I’m implicitly approving of wrongful actions. But the fact that Billy’s world does in fact crash down around him makes me feel better about liking the movie.
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WarpedRecord
14 years ago
I like film noir, where pretty much everyone is guilty, and I generally don't mind a film where the "hero" is really a cad. I love films from this era like "Alfie" and "Saturday Night and Sunday Morning," where the lead characters aren't exactly likable but seem very genuine in their flawed personalities. I didn't get that sense with this film, and I didn't see why the rest of the cast would see Billy as anything but delusional.
It's hard to say why some movies and characters connect with me and others don't, but this one definitely did not. But it certainly has its audience, and I'm glad it connected with you.
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fentress
14 years ago
Thanks for saying you're glad it connected with me; that was very kind. I guess when it comes to a film about a flawed character, it's a very sensitive matter with an individual viewer. The same movie may connect with one viewer but come off as glorifying irresponsibility to another equally intelligent viewer.
Interestingly, though I did connect with Billy Liar, I didn't connect as well with Saturday Night & Sunday Morning. I still like the movie OK, but the lead character struck me as a little too dark and too hopeless and I wasn't sure what I was supposed to be getting out of it. However, it is a movie I would be willing to give another viewing. Sometimes on a second viewing I "get it" when I didn't quite get it before.
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WarpedRecord
14 years ago
I think a lot of it has to do with expectations. I fully expected to love "Billy Liar" because I had been hearing about it for years, but it just fell rather flat with me. On the other hand, "Saturday Night and Sunday Morning" was more of an obligatory viewing that I found at the library. I expected it to be kind of like "Look Back in Anger," which seemed to wallow in blue-collar desperation. But I would up loving "Saturday Night" because of Albert Finney's remarkable performance.
A lot of it has to do with the mood I'm in also. I wish I had more time or patience to watch films again, but there's still so many I haven't seen, and there's more released every week (though I prefer to focus on the '60s through '80s).
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fentress
14 years ago
Yeah, I think you're right about expectations. My situation was almost opposite of yours. I had heard of Saturday Night & Sunday Morning many years ago and knew it was supposed to be good. (Loved the sound of that title.) Then when I finally saw, it wasn't quite what I expected it to be. (Will probably give it another try some time though.)
In contrast, I had never even heard of Billy Liar until just a couple of weeks ago when I stumbled upon its entry in the Leonard Maltin guide. I got it from the library right away and watched it - and liked it.
Yeah, I hear you about too many movies, too little time. I do like to watch really good ones in repeated viewings. I don't worry that much that I might be missing something by not seeing enough of the new ones that come out, though I do like some. I value older ones more. But regardless of the era, there are other things in life I want to do too and only so many two-hour blocks of time for movie viewing to go around.
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marktayloruk
10 years ago
Makes me sad-can't really bear to watch it.Billy reminded me of myself-a gutless fantasist. His family and job? His father was either an ignorant pig or pig ignorant. How much sympathy did they or his bosses show him?
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