User reviews

Why does everyone knock the Legend of Billie Jean so much? For me, it's one of my favorite 80s teen movies. And it's a good exploration into the concept of vigilante justice as a natural response to not only a cumbersome justice system, but also a discriminatory one.

Helen Slater is teenager Billie Jean, a nice girl from "the trailers" of Corpus Christi, Texas. When Hubie Pyat (Barry Tubbs) and some other local pranksters trash her brother Binx's (Christian Slater) motor scooter, she demands compensation. But Hubie refuses to pay and his father uses the opportunity to offer that Billie Jean trade some sexual favors to him for the cash. In the midst of her flight from the pervert, there's scuffle, and Mr. Pyat is accidentally shot. So, Billie Jean, her brother, and two friends involved in the accident, suddenly finds themselves on the run from the police.

Rather than surrendering, they use their new teenage fugitive status to stage something of a protest ("fair is fair"), and Billie Jean becomes their hero and icon for teenage rebellion as well as feminism. They become the martyrs of teenagers while the adults dismiss the entire thing as a bunch of rambunctious teenagers gone out of control. So, there is political significance in the story of Billie Jean in looking at the criminal justice system (although some of the discrimination against Billie Jean such as denying her any sort of expedited compensation occurs as a result of the system not intervening at all). If Billie Jean was an adult, would she have been taken seriously? What if Billie Jean were a male? Would that change the situation. Indeed, this movie suggests that it would.

In a decade filled with themes of teen angst, this one offers one story of the possibility of teen (and female) empowerment in a way that Pump Up the Volume or other movies like that did. I always thought it was a pretty good 80s movie and one that, judging by the message boards, still caters to a loyal audience as many of those long-lasting 80s movies do. Plus, as far as important 80s movie characteristic go, it's got good actors (Helen Slater, Christian Slater, Peter Cyote, and Kieth Gordon), and a good soundtrack (featuring Pat Benetar's "Invincible" and the Divinyls).

The Legend of Billy Jean (1985) was one of your typical 80's movies. It's hopelessly dated but back in the day it was a real hoot to watch on T.V. The story is about two siblings that cross paths with some older punks. Billy Jean is the name of the main character(Helen Slater, looking good) and she tries to fight for what she believes is right "Fair is fair!" He brother is played by the infamous Christian Slater (sans Jack Nicholson accent). They some how come across a lecherous sleaze ball and get into all kinds of shenanigans. It has to be seen to be believed. You also get co-star appearances from Yeardly Smith (Lisa Simpson) Keith Gordon, Dean Stockwell and mondo footage from Jeanne D'Arc. You can't say you're a true fan of 80's flicks until you've seen this one.

Recommend for nostalgia purposes.

Factoid: Carolyn Williams (Texas Chainsaw Massacre II) makes a quick appearance as a woman who spots Billy Jean.

I can't believe I've never watched this show before when I was younger. I just saw it on cable. I won't say it has the best plot, story, characters or anything, but there's just this mysterious element that draws us to Billie Jean. All those kids in the film were incredible. My father was watching with me he smiled when he saw that little boy who sent the tape to the police. How cute!

This film does reflect some truths. Some adults simply think that fairness is not for kids. Children are not entitled to justice. But few do stand up against this false belief. That is why Billie Jean is a heroine.

To add, Helen Slater is just so beautiful.

I saw this movie when I was a kid, and it instantly became one of my personal favorites. Helen Slater's performance is unforgettable about a young girl and her instant rebel/outlaw status. This is definitely a cult favorite, and appropriately so. For some undescribable reason, this film grabs at you in a way that most movies never do. You seem to care a lot for Billie Jean, and want her to get the justice she deserves. Every rebellious youth should see this film so they can see what happens on both sides of the law, and for a highly entertaining movie. Full of 80's music (especially the kick-ass Pat Benatar theme song), The Legend of Billie Jean is truly a remarkable film that was overlooked by too many people for its brilliance.

This is an excellent movie for young people, in general. It shows how one has to fight for one's principles, as it's the case with Billie Jean, a girl living in the Texas coastal town of Corpus Christi. As directed by Matthew Robbins, this film will never cease to amaze.

After he brother's motorcycle is trashed by a group of rough teenagers. Billie Jean wants the father of the boy who gave a beating to her brother, to pay for the repair of the bike. This is a man who, knowing where Billie Jean comes from, tries to abuse the girl sexually. He doesn't know who he is messing with.

The movie deals with the way Billie Jean goes about in getting her revenge against all odds. In doing so, she becomes an instant celebrity to the young population in the area, who easily identify with the wronged girl and make her a folk hero.

Helen Slater makes a sunny appearance as Billie Jean. She is a girl who believes in justice, and demands it from the man who wanted to take advantage of her. A young, blond Christian Slater is Binx, the young brother. Peter Coyote is also seen as the chief of police who Billie Jean goes to present her complaint, but doesn't have enough sense to pay attention to her.

Never underestimate a determined woman who is wronged. Whoever thinks otherwise will probably get his own Billie Jean to her point.

I recently purchased the special edition "Fair Is Fair" DVD version of "The Legend of Billie Jean". Partly because I thought it was a fun flashback to the 80s when I thought this movie was so cutting-edge cool when I was still a teenager, partly because it had a soundtrack commentary by stars Helen Slater and Yeardley Smith. I wasn't disappointed.

I will say I've watched this movie more than a few times. Each time I am kinda in awe of how blonde and stunning Helen is. She was (still is) a beautiful actress. "City Slickers", "The Secret of My Success" both cast her as the sexy co-star and for good reason. Her sexiness is without question in this movie. This is one of Christian Slater's (no relation) first movies and he's exactly what you'd expect him to be at 15 years old. Yeardley Smith is and always has been a gifted ugly duckling that is as adorable as they get. This is no different. Priceless casting.

The story is fairly silly and formulaic. A teenage girl and her brother have their motor scooter trashed by some bullies. The girl goes to the bully's father and demands money for the damages. The dad is worse than the son. They struggle. An accident occurs. The kids go on the lam. Good cop who can read between the lines trails the kids like a bloodhound. Kids become famous outlaws. Big climax at the end. Standard teenage 80s stuff. And it's worth every second of screen time!!!

Watching the DVD with the voice-over soundtrack by both Helen and Yeardley made me laugh out loud a few times. It was hilarious listening to these two friends banter back and forth about who did what when and where, the horrible 80s styles and hair now that they're mothers themselves, how their daughters won't even watch it out of sheer horror their mothers were rebellious teenagers (Helen - "We're five minutes into the movie and my daughter has already left." - funny stuff), etc... The fact Helen didn't remember the real actress' name of her own mother character in the movie (Mona Lee Fultz) tells you how raw this audio take is. No editing, just middle-age friends talking into a microphone. It's genuine and even better than this classic 80s flick by itself.

The movie is dated, even ridiculous in some cases, and totally awesome (yes, an 80s term)! How can you not sing a few bars of Pat Benatar's "Invincible" in this fantastically cheesy movie? It's self-consciously teeny throughout. Even the adults act more like enabling or overbearing parents than real adults. It's cheerful, uplifting, cool and just plain fun to watch. The writing is irrelevant. Holes in the plot are beside the point. Sit back, slide this piece of 80s nostalgia into your DVD player, put on your headphones, pump up the volume on the headphones at all the right places, and just enjoy the experience.

Billie Jean RULES!!! :-)

In Texas, the hot teenager Billie Jean Davy (Helen Slater) lives with her brother Binx (Christian Slater) and her mother in a trailer. In a hot day, she rides with Binx on his scooter to swim in a lake. However, the bully Huble Pyatt (Barry Tubb) steals the scooter with his friends. Billie Jean goes to the police but Detective Ringwald (Peter Coyote) does not give much attention to her. When Binx tries to retrieve his scooter, Huble trashes the scooter and beats Binx up. Billie Jean goes with her brother Binx and her friend Ophelia (Martha Gehman) to the store of Huble's father Pyatt (Richard Bradford) with the repair bill and the old man lures Billie Jean and brings her to his office. Then he harass and tries to rape her. Meanwhile Binx finds a gun in the cash register and her accidentally shoots Pyatt. Billie Jean, Binx. Ophelia and their teenage neighbor Putter (Yeardley Smith) flee from Ophelia's car. They meet the teenager Lloyd (Keith Gordon), who is the estranged son of the D.A. Muldaur (Dean Stockwell), he proposes to be their "hostage" so that the runaway teenagers could get some money for their journey. When Billie Jean watches Otto Preminger 's "Saint Joan" at Lloyd's television, she cuts her hair short and makes a video with her explanation and demands, becoming and icon worshiped by the teenagers. Meanwhile Detective Ringwald finds the mess, he realizes that he should have listened to Billie Jean and tries to fix the situation.

"The Legend of Billie Jean" is a super-cult movie from the 80's and maybe Helen Slater's best film in her career. The plot entwines action and drama and it is delightful to watch. In the 80's, many viewers believed that Helen Slater and Christian Slater were siblings since they have the same last name. The story of a wronged teenager that cuts her hair in Joan of Arc's style and becomes an idol of the youth has not aged and is still wonderful to watch. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "A Lenda de Billie Jean" ("The Legend of Billie Jean")

Billie Jean (Helen Slater) lives in a Texas trailer park with her brother best friend Binx (Christian Slater). Local bully Hubie picks on them. He steals Binx's scooter and then trashes it while beating up Binx. Detective Ringwald (Peter Coyote) brushes Billie Jean off. She goes to get the money herself. Hubie's dad lures her upstairs and tries to rape her. Meanwhile Binx finds a gun in the cash register. The gun goes off accidentally and Hubie's dad is shot. Billy Jean, Binx, friends Putter (Yeardley Smith) and Ophelia (Martha Gehman) go on the run and become legends as she fights for "fair is fair". They break-in and befriends horror-fan weirdo Lloyd (Keith Gordon) who volunteers to be their hostage. He turns out to be the son of District Attorney Muldaur (Dean Stockwell).

It is fun and energetic. It's not subtle. Richard Bradford is being a super villain. There is a lot of silliness going on. It has no believability. Yeardley Smith is ridiculous. But it's a fun campy 80s movie and there are stuff to like about it. Helen Slater and Peter Coyote are great at their roles. It's no surprise that they're the only two reasonable characters in the whole movie. Although Helen Slater striking that pose is hilarious. The movie tries to say something about girl empowerment with the Joan of Arc theme but the movie can't be taken seriously.

Some days I just want to take it easy and remember the good old days when I was a teenager and had no real problems. This film takes me back 20 years, when in the heat of the summer night we used to sneak out the 2nd story window to adventure and excitement.

The acting is believable, characters well cast and film nicely shot. Its a getaway for forty something women, with an awesome but not egotistical heroine, a solid loyal sibling and a sweet sincere romantic guy that we all dream of meeting someday.

The song "Invincible" from the soundtrack by Pat Bentar stirs up even more memories of a time when MTV was young and the short hair cut was a sign of rebellion and the contrary move for strong young women. Thank god I grew up in a time when I didn't have to tattoo my body or pierce my face to show I was tough or different or independent.

I still remember back in 1985 when they filmed "The Legend of Billie Jean". There was Magic Isles a fun little amusement park that shut down and after a couple years is now a go-cart and mini golf place. The other mini golf place is not around anymore. Then there is Sunrise Mall (in the movie was called Ocean Park Mall). Back in the 80's that mall was cool and was the mall everyone went to hang out. And now it's a real dump now. The Dockside is still around but now there is a freeway in front of it. The other scenes the filming at the beach. The Corpus Christi Country Club, the Port, and downtown. It shows how Corpus Christi was in the 1980's. It was a good movie but they should have beat up Mr. Pyatt at the end.

Teenage siblings in Texas are wanted by the police after one of the kids shoots and wounds an auto mechanic--this following a sexual proposition on Billie Jean (who is nearly raped) and the beating of her brother by a group of peers, which the cops have shrugged off. Youthful rebellion on a low-budget. Screenwriters Mark Rosenthal and Lawrence Konner occasionally have tongue-in-cheek, and display a curious penchant for oddball character names like Binx and Putter, but too often they fall back on melodrama (which helps to derail the entire final reel). Despite constantly flashing her bright, nice-girl smile, Helen Slater's Billie Jean is a convincing rabble-rouser until the script gives her too much to handle. The film has a misshapen feel, with yahoo comedic moments and a production imbued with an inappropriate candy-coated sheen. Far from being a teen-variant of "The Sugarland Express", which may have been fascinating, the movie instead takes the low road. It is unambitious and amateurish--and seems perfectly satisfied with being both. ** from ****

I don't understand why this movie wasn't more better received. After the Supergirl fiasco, this movie should have made Helen Slater's career. She plays a small mid-western girl with a younger brother (Christian Slater- not her real brother) constantly being harassed for being poor. When the motor bike is trashed and vandalized, she goes to the future criminal's father for the repair fee, but the guy is worst than his son. He blames her for a crime that never happened and even profits from the media coverage of her pursuit. Peter Coyote is the police investigator who believes her and sticks by her side even when a rich kid (Keith Gordon) fakes his kidnapping to follow her and irk his father (Dean Stockwell). It's a great movie and great script excelled even more by the voice of Pat Benatar. Ten stars !

I loved loved this movie as a kid. My brothers and I would quote so much from this film. Watching it now? It still has a lot of charm but goes down as one of those cheesy 80's movies that we've seen 100 of. You know the over dramatic child acting, the over the top endings.

Helen Slater though. Wow. Such a babe. I had a huge crush on here 30 years ago and still do.

A blonde teen from Gulf Coast Texas named Billie Jean and her little brother, Binx (Helen Slater and Christian Slater), become outlaw fugitives after a mishap. Two other girls go on the lam with them wherein Billie Jean cuts her hair and, unexpectedly, becomes a cultural sensation. Keith Gordon, Peter Coyote and Dean Stockwell have peripheral roles.

Being released in 1985, the movie screams mid-80's on every front. The soundtrack, for instance, includes cuts like "Invincible" by Pat Benatar and "Rebel Yell" by Billy Idol. The first act is interesting enough but the movie somehow peters out. Helen is winsome as the protagonist, but not curvy enough to hold my interest whereas Christian, who was 15 years-old during shooting, plays his role well, but his character, Binx, is just an annoying loser who seems to always do the wrong thing. If someone just mercifully shot him at the beginning there would be no problem and no film.

While this one should be filed under subpar 80's teen flicks, it has a few points of interest to make it worthwhile to certain viewers.

The movie runs 1 hour, 36 minutes and was shot in Corpus Christi, Texas, and nearby areas (e.g. Padre Island National Seashore); the closing Vermont sequence was shot in Colorado and obviously so.

GRADE: C

The British historian E. J. Hobsbawm developed the idea of the "social bandit," the peasant youth who becomes an outlaw after his honorable resistance to some outrage by the landlord ends with a landlord henchman dead. He calls to others who share his anger at injustice to follow him to the hills where they will lead the outlaw life, stealing only from those whose wealth comes from oppressing the poor, respecting the peasants and righting wrongs on their behalf, and seeking to restore a former condition when the great and powerful behaved decently and treated the poor equitably. (This equitable treatment is also close to what E.P. Thompson called "the moral economy of the poor:" the Honest Loaf, the Fair Day's Wage for a Fair Day's Work--a slogan of early labor unions--etc.)

The social bandit *isn't* a revolutionary--he has no vision of a transformed society, because his horizons are too narrow. He wants the Good Old Days back. He doesn't have a social or political theory; he wants simple decency and justice. He isn't Joan of Arc, fighting to restore a legitimate King, he's much closer to Robin Hood, resisting the oppression of a King who's forfeited the loyalty of the people by not acting as a good King should.

Billie Jean is a social bandit. The events that launch her "career," the actions she performs, and above all her simple watchword "Fair is Fair" clearly put her in the category that includes the Brazilian Lampiao, the Sicilian Salvatore Giuliano, and others. Hardly surprising, since this teenage cult script was written by a formerly blacklisted old Lefty in his seventies, Walter Bernstein, who surely had read Hobsbawm and Thompson and found, I think, a very ingenious way to illustrate their ideas in a 1980's US setting.

It's easy to see why "The Legend of Billie Jean" would have a following almost 30 years after it was released. It's firmly on the side of its youthful protagonists, with most of the adults and upper class characters treated with a degree of contempt. A more even hand would have helped, but as it is, our young actors are good enough that one does still root for them up to a point. In fact, solid acting right down the line helps to sell this material.

"Supergirl" star Helen Slater is sexy Texan Billie Jean Davy, living with her younger brother Binx (an engaging Christian Slater, making his film debut) and mom in Corpus Christi. A run in with obnoxious rich jerk Hubie (Barry Tubb) causes Hubie to steal Binx's treasured scooter and ruin it. Billie Jean goes to Hubies' store owner father Mr. Pyatt (Richard Bradford) to ask for the $608 to repair the scooter, but circumstances get out of control, and Billie Jean and Binx become fugitives from the law, convinced that the authorities will never buy their side of the story. They become rebel heroes to kids everywhere, and Billie Jean is inspired to cut her hair short, Joan of Arc style.

Helen Slater is quite good as the reluctant pop culture icon. Co-star Keith Gordon is fun as the slightly eccentric young man who becomes sympathetic to her cause. Bradford is perfectly slimy as the unrepentant elder. Martha Gehman and Yeardley Smith offer solid support as the gal pals who join the Davys on the road. Peter Coyote is good as the understanding cop, ditto Dean Stockwell as Gordons' attorney father. Look for John M. Jackson ('JAG') and Caroline Williams ("The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2") in small roles.

Also helping to make this palatable is the catchy rock & pop soundtrack, featuring that irresistible kick ass theme song belted out by Pat Benatar.

The movie does have something to say about the way that people can and will cynically capitalize on fads, and how justice isn't something that should just be reserved for adults. It's a fairly intriguing melodrama that provides a striking amount of catharsis at the end.

Seven out of 10.

Barry, my man, I could have wrote your review. I also saw "Billie Jean" as a kid, and it blew me away. I loved her toughness, resolve, her cynical edge, the way she didn't take crap, and the way she had no fear.

Everything that I felt I DIDN'T have at the time that I first saw it. I was living in a dysfunctional home, and those were qualities I was definitely NOT allowed to have. I suppose I idolized Billie Jean for those traits.

She also had friends who stood behind her and had her back. I felt I didn't have that, either.

Funny how movies move you, and how they keep you going through life.

Oh, funny story. The only movie channel my family ever had was HBO. "Billie Jean" was NeVeR on HBO!!! Or, if it was, I never had the chance to record it. So, it was finally on Cinemax. I asked a friend's mom if she would tape it for me. ROFL They soooooooo thought I was weird!!! Years of wanting to get in on tape, and now ten years later I still have it. :)

Ciao

This is my favorite movie of all time.I love the story of independence and standing up for whats right,not taking no for an answer.I love the outlaw feeling that you get from this movie.It made me want to cut my hair.Helen Slater does an outstanding job portraying this role, and could Christian be any cuter? I realize I was born the year this movie came out but I love it regardless.I watch it every chance I get.Besides I'm stuck in the 80's anyway.I envy Billie Jean.She's so cool! One day I want to visit Corpus Christy. When I was younger I use to want to be Billie Jean. She was my idol.I understand she is a fictional character but shes just so dang cool.

This movie was filmed in Corpus Christi Texas (my home town) A friend from work said he was working as an extra on the movie and asked if I would like to come along. The three things I remembered most was how boring it was, it was like "hurry up and wait" the second, was one of the extras with me got hurt during the beach scene because the people that they used for the crowd had been partying all day up the beach for some radio station promotion. A lot of people were drunk and they bum rushed the extras (police officers) and one guy got a separated shoulder. The third was it was my 26th birthday (Nov. 10th)and we are on the beach, a lot of people were in swim trunks and bikinis there was goose dumps everywhere. Anyway, I was going to be one of the sheriffs officers that drove to the top of the sand dunes in a jeep to shoot Christian Slater (Binx) But they could not find a uniform that would fit me. So I ending up being police officer for crowd control for the beach scene. I guess I ending up on the editors floor because I never saw myself. But I did get a pay check for eighty something dollars. And at that point and time I put my film career behind me.

LBJ was an attempt to make an MTV full length video showing a teen rebel. There's no other time this film would have been made. By this time, 1985, the hype over MTV was ending. MTV was already being mocked by films, TV shows, and yes, most music groups as the empty headed pose of rebellion instead of actual rebellion.

MTV made the careers of vacuous posers like Adam Ant and Billy Idol while ignoring most better music. By this time it was following music trends a couple years later instead of making them. For example Yo MTV Raps began in 1987, three years after hip hop was already huge.

LBJ's idea of rebellion is a getting a trendy haircut and making a video. Not the nihilism or lashing out at society of Rebel Without a Cause, Easy Rider, or Suburbia.

"I cut my hair. Aren't I daring?" "We have a video camera. Aren't we rebellious?"

No. Not even close. Dull. Duller. Painfully bad and irritating.

Only nostalgia or being horny for the star explain high rating.

love this movie its a true classic, but would love a remake, I don't know if it will be possible? Helen slater was born to do this movie and Christian slater was excellent, and Yardley smith was SO cute, especially with that long hair, if you have not rented this movie then you need to. a true classic 80's film. The Music was great especially Pat banter song for the movie, and the fashion was so 80's I love the way they had all the girls in the movie following Billie Jean's style. Its almost like its a story torn out of the headlines of today but with a twist of some sort. I think this movie should have done a little more better at the box office then it did. but it was great anyway.

I haven't seen this movie in probably 15 years but the memories are fond and I must say that as a young boy I had a blast with it.

This is the typical movie that will make you feel powerful when it comes about friendship, adventures, and most of all, revelry.

Billie Jean's gang was likable and that helps a lot because you actually care for the party and feel worried for them. Also, the correct selection of actors was great. Yeardley Smith, Christian Slater and his sister carry the movie completely on their back.

The situations are very emotional, fun, entertaining, and most of all, interesting.

Keep in mind that the movie is based on a very popular character on American culture.

I caught it on HBO and I hope to watch it soon.