Review of Billy Liar (1963) by Geonard Y — 24 Jul 2007
Directed by John Schlesinger.
Starring Tom Courtenay, Julie Christie, Wilfred Pickles, Mona Washbourne, Ethel Griffies, Finlay Currie.
Simple story yet extraordinary with a rather amusing complex hero in Billy, a habitual liar who must feed himself of outrageous fantasies to feel like he?s somebody rather than what he actually is, a talentless wanna-be scriptwriter. Billy is also a sort of playboy, juggling women and deceiving them with lies that gets him in trouble. Rather hard to reason why he does so (or must so). Is he in conflict with himself? Or is it his surroundings? Billy Liar seems to be an adult version of your impish nursery rhyme boy. Tom Courtenay plays the role off stage and of course, comes off naturally. Tom is Billy and they are both likable and the naked portrayal of middle-class British life is the movie?s other offering but it is also a trifle bore. A middle-weight classic but it has its cinematic significance and when Tom isn?t on screen there?s always something to see, including that great dolly shot that starts the movie.
Best Scene: Fooling around at Shadrock?s office.
This review of Billy Liar (1963) was written by Geonard Y on 24 Jul 2007.
Billy Liar has generally received very positive reviews.
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