IMDb plot summary: A lazy, irresponsible young clerk (Sir Tom Courtenay) in provincial Northern England lives in his own fantasy world and makes emotionally immature decisions as he alienates friends and family.
Directed by John Schlesinger. Starring by Tom Courtenay, Wilfred Pickles, Mona Washbourne, and Ethel Griffies.
This film is a sort of strange cross between The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and A Clockwork Orange. Its title comes from the fact that Billy just constantly lies, to everyone, about everything, and when caught in a lie he spins another to try to right it. But despite doing and thinking terrible things, there's a tragedy about Billy as well -- he fabricates stories about getting away from this town and starting an exciting new life elsewhere, but when it comes down to it he's too scared to take the necessary steps, because if he actually tries, he might fail. The film gives him more empathy than he deserves, frankly, but it does show just how thoroughly he's stuck in the persona he's created for himself, and it's a compelling and well-done character study.
How it entered my Flickchart:
Billy Liar > Letters from Iwo Jima
Billy Liar < Chronicle
Billy Liar > Kill Bill Vol. 1
Billy Liar > Under the Skin
Billy Liar > The Last Metro
Billy Liar < Center Stage
Billy Liar > Auntie Mame
Billy Liar > Gone Baby Gone
Billy Liar > The Color Purple
Billy Liar > Unbreakable
Billy Liar > Wonder Boys
Billy Liar < Re-Animator
Final spot: #870 out of 3269, or 73%.
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