THE LEGEND OF BILLIE JEAN

US, 1985, 92 minutes, Colour.
Helen Slater, Peter Coyote, Keith Gordon, Christian Slater, Dean Stockwell.
Directed by Matthew Robbins.

The Legend of Billie Jean is a modern-day fantasy for the youth audience. It focuses on some youngsters in Texas, their being exploited, their reaction - and the situation getting out of hand so that they become the equivalent of outlaws. However, as Billie Jean points out, they are not crooks. The film also shows how youth need models, how fans create an atmosphere and legends, how this is helped by the media and commercial exploitation.

The film is a mixture of the humorous and the serious. Younger audiences may well enjoy it. Older audiences may well be irritated.

Helen Slater is very attractive as Billie Jean (Supergirl, Ruthless People, Secret of My Success). Her brother Christian Slater (Name of the Rose) is her brother. There is a strong supporting cast including Peter Coyote as the police inspector and Dean Stockwell as the district attorney. Keith Gordon (Christine) is the son of the DA.

The film was directed by Matthew Robins (Corvette Summer, Dragonslayer, Batteries Not Included).

1.Impact of the film? For what audience? Youth, adults? Americans? Universal audiences?

2.The Texas settings, Billie Jean's world, the roads, the beaches? Musical score, the songs - and the lyrics and their meaning?

3.The atmosphere of legend: the introduction of Joan of Arc and her situation, the action of Billie Jean and her brother, the growing reputation, radio and media, use of video? Commercialisation? The youngsters and their following Billie Jean as heroine, fashions, hair styles? Helping?

4.The motto of `Fair is fair'? Adults pre-judging youth, adults exploiting youth? Outlaws but not crooks?

5.Billie Jean and Binks, their mother, family relationships, going out, the scooter? The clash with Huby and the teenagers? Egging each other on? The taking of the scooter, the fight, Binks being bashed? Going to the police for help? The setting up of the situation?

6.Billie Jean going to Huby and his father for the money, the father's proposition, her reaction, Binks with the gun, the shot? On the road? The legend beginning?

7.Police reports, the exaggerations, the interview with the father? Getting the car, Ophelia and her driving, Putter coming along for the ride? The styles of the girls? In the car, the chases, the man firing at them? Getting food, the wealthy girl putting it on her father's card? Travelling around, wanting a car? Staying places and sleeping? Into the shops - and leaving the IOUs?

8.Ringwald, the police, handling of the situation, his judgment on himself? The deals? Phone calls? The father and his coming to the shopping mall, provoking Billie Jean with the money? Ringwald supplying the money? The chase again?

9.Going to Lloyd's house, its eccentricity, interesting horror traditions? His willingness to help, making the video, claiming to be the hostage and the jokey video? The irony that his father was the district attorney, campaigning for attorney-general?

10.The newspaper headlines, the media reports? Billie Jean wanting to help Ophelia and Putter and arranging for them to be caught? The chase on the golf course? The range of friends recognising Billie Jean and helping her, the celebrity of the club? Ringwald's appeal, her phone call, the set-up at the beach? Binks dressed as Billie Jean and holding Lloyd hostage? The guns? The shot? The fans and the riot?

11.The character of Billie Jean in herself, attractive, honest? The Joan of Arc story, cutting her hair, making the video, her statement and the interview? Her behaviour and integrity?

12.Binks and his age, irresponsible with the guns? His wanting his scooter back? Sharing in the experience? Ophelia and Putter, their presence, sharing things? Putter and her being precocious, period, talk, haircut?

13.Ringwald and his being fair, the appeal, the set-up at the end? the district attorney and his wanting his son back, calling in the sharpshooters?

14.Lloyd, his character, distant from his father, friendship with the group, helping, the video, the hostage? Running away from home?

15.Huby as a lout, weak, taunting? With his father? His father and wanting the deal with Billie Jean, exploiting her? Shot, his interviews, condemnation of youth? Appeal for justice - to Ringwald, to the DA? His exploiting Billie Jean with the merchandise? The final confrontation, the truth on TV, the fire and his goods being burnt up, nobody helping him?

16.The transition to Vermont, brother and sister together - their future?

17.The point of the film: its effect, law, values?