Billy Liar (1963)

Directed by: John Schlesinger

Starring: Tom Courtenay (Billy Fisher), Julie Christie (Liz), Wilfred Pickles (Geoffrey Fisher), Mona Washbourne (Alice Fisher), Ethel Griffies (Florence), Finlay Currie (Duxbury), Gwendolyn Watts (Rita), Helen Fraser (Barbara)

Synopsis: Billy is a deadbeat clerk imagines himself in a fantasy world while in the meantime dealing with two fiancées, another girlfriend, Liz, who he truly loves, and a family holding him down.

Review: There is a thin line between love and hate when it comes to seeing "reality" in film, and you're on both sides with discontent. By "reality," I mean the movie only bits sugar-coated to please the audience are Billy's fantasies - nothing is glamorous about this movie. The beauty of this harsh look on life is a British film movement called Social Realism (aka: "kitchen sink" dramas, angry young men films, British New Wave).

Billy is a troubled young man in the beginning stages of adulthood. Working a dead end job as a clerk for an undertaker, he fantasizes his life of luxury and importance that in turn makes him late for work and relationships with people. His dreamer attitude also gives him the tendency to lie to people, such as giving the same engagement ring to two different women with him giving the excuse the ring is being cleaned as his other fiancée is wearing it. At home, he resides with his parents and grandmother who push him around saying he is a deadbeat while at the same time pampering him so he can take care of them.

The only person who understands who he is as a person is Liz, a dreamer like Billy without the daydreams. Liz is aware of what is around her. She is tired of the scenery in a run-down town. Apart from being played by the gorgeous Julie Christie in her first film role, Liz’s open-mindedness actually shows when a local celebrity picks her out of a crowd for a photo opportunity. She is exact opposite of Billy in personality and sexuality. Billy is clearly repressed sexually with being engaged to women who are uncomfortable with him innocently placing his hand on her thigh. On the other hand, Liz openly says to Billy she has been with a number of men and would like to consummate their love in a dimly-lit park.

The biggest differences between the two are their outlooks on life. Liz clearly wants to move to a big city to advance her life because she has the determination to do so. Meanwhile, Billy has the dreams of living in a big city writing for a living and spending his life with Liz. Liz also wants to "get married, not engaged," whereas Billy likes the idea of getting engaged. However, it is his mindset of “you’ll never be good enough” from his family that may or may not get the best of him. Find out when you watch the movie…

Verdict: A