Billy Flynn Was A Prick.

No

What we fail as an audience to see even 35 years after this film's release is the affect that the abandonment by "Annie" had on "Billy." This is "our" fault because Z takes the opportunity in the stable scene to painstakingly make us aware that this film, this story is about more than just this child, it is about "Billy" and his incalculable loss he's endured for 7 years.

Against a backdrop of a billion tears represented by a torrential Florida downpour Billy finally confesses to Annie about his loss,,,"What about me?" Before this confession the two are aimlessly squabbling as ex's are apt to do. Annie is immediately graveled and rises from her seated position to bear witness Billy's confession. Z moves in with the camera. It is here that Voight has his finest moment. My God, he is mercurial, beyond anything imaginable. Watch him work here. It is so beautiful. In response to Billy's offer to grant her a "second chance" Annie's voice breaks (bless Dunaway trying to keep up with Voight), but, the rejection is plain, "I have a husband."

Rejected, Billy's legs buckle and he seats himself. Z comes one more time, and this time with everything he's got. Annie kneels, to her knees at Billy's side, subjugating herself to her "husband," intimately touching him, watch her do it, it is so decimating, she appeals to Billy on behalf of the child again. Consciously Z refused to let us, the audience see Billy's acknowledgement of Annie's continuing love for him, but, subconsciously Billy knows,,,because from this moment on thru the ocean scene and the death scene they're "married" once more. Billy, now beaten blind, death loitering the room patiently talks only of Annie's presence ringside. She has returned to him,,,first the child, now to him.

Film. American film.

Obviously that scene was done to push TJ away and into Annie's life. He wanted his son to have a better life with Annie and forget all about him. That didn't work and he obviously saw right through it, even though he was deeply hurt. But I definitely get what you're saying. TJ is such a thoughtful and loyal child and it tends to go unnoticed by his father.

I think Billy was selfish in a sense that he was completely living in his own self loathing and misery. The effect of Annie's abandonment was so intense, that he couldn't even acknowledge the affection of his own son. He certainly loved him and showed him affection, but he obviously takes him for granted.

I found his son's loyalty quite fascinating. Right around that age you start to become aware of your parent's short comings and in a lot of ways resentful. It's probably for the best that Billy died before TJ grew older. This way he'll always remember his father with affection and love, rather than deep seated resentment for a rotten childhood. He was young enough to still worship his father as a "champ" instead of the bum or "prick" as you mention.