| The Legend of Billie Jean | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Matthew Robbins |
| Written by | |
| Produced by | Rob Cohen |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Jeffrey L. Kimball |
| Edited by | Cynthia Scheider |
| Music by | Craig Safan |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Tri-Star Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 96 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $3.1 million (US)[2] |
The Legend of Billie Jean is a 1985 Americanactiondrama film directed byMatthew Robbins. It starsHelen Slater,Keith Gordon,Christian Slater, andPeter Coyote.
The plot follows Billie Jean Davy, a teenager from Texas, and her brother Binx, who become fugitives after a confrontation with a local bully turns violent. Billie Jean demands justice and becomes an icon for teens, leading to a standoff with the authorities.
Billie Jean Davy, a teenager fromCorpus Christi, Texas, rides with her younger brother, Binx, on hisHonda Elitescooter to a lake to go swimming. Stopping for a milkshake at a convenience store, they have to deal with Hubie Pyatt, a rowdy teen, and his friendshitting on Billie Jean. However, Binx humiliates Hubie by throwing a milkshake in his face. Later at the lake, as Billie Jean tells Binx about the weather inVermont (a place he wants to visit), Hubie steals Binx's scooter.
As Binx looks for his scooter later that night, Billie Jean goes to the authorities with her friends Putter and Ophelia. They report the theft to Detective Ringwald, who urges them to wait and see if matters resolve. At home, Billie Jean finds Binx beaten and his scooter severely damaged. The next day, Billie Jean, Binx, and Ophelia go to Mr. Pyatt's shop and learn that repairing the scooter will cost $608. While initially appearing helpful and understanding, Pyatt propositions Billie Jean and then attempts to rape her. Meanwhile, Binx and Ophelia enter the store to check on Billie Jean when Binx finds a gun in thecash register while looking for the money to fix his scooter. A distressed Billie Jean flees from the back of the store. Binx aims the weapon at Pyatt, who says that the gun is unloaded. Binx then fires it, wounding Pyatt in the shoulder. The siblings and Ophelia flee and become fugitives, along with Putter, who comes with them.
Meanwhile, Ringwald realizes that he made a mistake not listening to Billie Jean, who wants only the cash to fix the scooter and an apology from Pyatt. With help from Lloyd Muldaur, the teenage son of thedistrict attorney, who voluntarily becomes her "hostage", Billie Jean makes a video of her demands, featuring herself with her long, blonde hair chopped into acrew cut, inspired after watching a movie aboutJoan of Arc on TV.[a] She dons a revolutionary-style wardrobe includingcombat boots,fatigues, and awetsuit top with the sleeves torn off. As media coverage increases, Billie Jean becomes ateen icon, and young fans follow her every movement. Facing uncertain dangers, both physical and legal, Billie Jean is forced to turn in her friends Putter and Ophelia to the cops for their safety. Ringwald arrives at the abandonedminiature golf course where the group has taken refuge. He demands to know where Billie Jean is, and Ophelia replies, "Everywhere!"
Pyatt issues a bounty for her apprehension, but Ringwald counters with a more peaceful offer and a promise to repair Binx's scooter. Billie Jean realizes that the best plan is to turn herself in. During a rally being held, where a brand new scooter is offered for Billie Jean to turn in herself and Lloyd, Binx puts on a dress and pretends to be her, walking behind Lloyd. However, Hubie proclaims the masquerade, and the police shoot Binx.
Billie Jean runs to catch the ambulance taking Binx away, to no avail. She sees a booth with Billie Jean merchandise, run by Pyatt. She confronts Pyatt and gets him to admit the actions that led to him being shot. He gives Billie Jean the money, but she refuses to take it all and rams her knee into his crotch, sending him sprawling to the ground and knocking over a nearby torch. She tells him to keep his money and to go buy somebody else, throwing the money back in his face. Pyatt gets to his feet as the overturned torch begins to set his merchandise stands on fire. The onlookers (including Hubie), seeing how Billie Jean was exploited and their indirect involvement in it, throw all the merchandise into the rapidly growing fire and leave in disgust. As the merchandise burns, Billie Jean departs as well, but not before thanking Ringwald and giving Lloyd a kiss. Later, Billie Jean and Binx (in an arm sling) are hitchhiking in Vermont. Binx, after complaining about the cold, admires asnowmobile.
Craig Safan produced the originalscore for the film writing a couple ofsynthpop-styled instrumental tracks. Furthermore, some rock songs were added to the soundtrack which had never been officially released. The movie's theme song "Invincible" byPat Benatar peaked at number 10 on theBillboard Hot 100 in September 1985, while the reissue ofBilly Idol's single "Rebel Yell" climbed up to number six on theUK Singles Chart in October 1985.
Jay Boyar of theOrlando Sentinel stated that the film "has quite a lot going for it" and "doesn't get many points for finesse, but it has energy, good performances and more wit than you'd expect." He added, "One reason that sections of the movie are effective is that Helen Slater has enough style and presence to be believable as a young woman who is taken for a modern Joan of Arc. As Billie Jean, she's got the clear eyes of a dreamer and the toughness of a winner."[4]Janet Maslin ofThe New York Times said that the film is "competently made, sometimes attractively acted (particularly by Peter Coyote)... and bankrupt beyond belief. It's hard to imagine that even the film makers, let alone audiences, can believe in a sweet, selfless heroine who just can't help becoming a superstar."[5]
The film holds a 39% approval rating onRotten Tomatoes, based on 38 reviews with the following consensus: "Rebellious in spirit and anarchic in style, this Helen Slater–starring vehicle holds a certain youthful cool but is otherwise a disjointed retelling of an oft-repeated legend.".[6]
The film was released on Betamax and VHS home video in 1985.
In 2009,Sony Pictures Home Entertainment released in Europe a Spanish-titled DVDLa Leyenda de Billie Jean, with 4:3 open matte image, but without any bonus material. A remastered NTSC DVD including commentary by Helen Slater and Yeardley Smith was released on November 1, 2011, via their manufactured on demand service.[7]
Mill Creek Entertainment released a retail version of the DVD, along with a Blu-ray edition on July 22, 2014.[8][9][10]
