Buster and Billie (1974)

Blending excellent reporting and strong storytelling, this is a disturbing film truly stranger than fiction

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

Absurd and silly with as much sense as dream-logic, it's hilarious watching for pure camp value and complete abandon of concern for constructing a cohesive plot. Billie is a mentally slow high school outcast and object of scorn and ridicule who will let a boy do anything with her. Buster, a popular jock at the school, loses a bet to friends, costing him the humiliation of taking Billie on a date. He follows through on his penalty, only to find Billie is a sweet girl he falls for, hard, on the date. Why or how this could come about is never explained. The audience is expected to buy all the nonsensical premises of the movie without questioning any of it. Needless to say, Buster becomes the laughing stock of the whole school when he romances Billie unabashedly. The highly implausible situation goes from bad to worse when the jock's ex- buddies decide to make Buster sorry. Teenage drinking and mob mentality drive ordinary schoolyard bullying far over the line. Buster finds out and goes all "Billy Jack" on the movie. The movie is full of clichés and cardboard cut-out characters. If you have absolutely nothing better to do, it's worth a watch for a few laughs.

I saw this movie late one night on TV, when i was only about 13 it has stuck in my mind ever since, because of the graphic rape scene and it was such good acting-well i thought so at the time anyway! They seemed to be so much in love. No other movie has stuck in my mind as much as this movie-very thought provoking-another great movie i saw Jan Michael Vincent in was white line fever (not as good as this movie though). I can't remember who the girl was in Buster and Billie, but she was so innocent and sad, it still makes me feel sad now. great movie but a little depressing!! Probably not compared to some of the movies out in this day and age. Its a wonder someone hasn't remade this movie wouldn't it be great with Brad Pitt or someone like that in it! I will definitely be getting the DVD when it comes out!

For all his faults, JAN MICHAEL VINCENT certainly made some great movies in the seventies (be it, THE BIG Wednesday, HOOPER, THE MECHANIC, VIGILANTE FORCE) including this (little seen) gem. VINCENT plays Buster, a tough, high-school loner, who against the wishes of his (childish, rather ugly) friends, dates the local good-time girl (of whom, most of busters friends have been casually 'involved' with) But these two opposites find love, but as in all classic love tales, their romance is doomed. To give anything else away, would ruin this highly original period piece(set in 1948.) Needless to say, it does continue the ever growing trend of seventies movies, and features a downbeat ending. Long after the viewer shakes off initial images of sexist, drunken teens, several scenes of true beauty, shine through this great movie. The period details are spot-on, and there's not one bad performance (look out for a young ROBERT ENGLUND) but as with most other JMV movies, Hollywood soon moved onto bigger (although, not always better) actors, and he soon became a tragic casualty of cinema. He certainly had the 'look' (predating the 'tom cruise' boyish-good looks) but unfortunately ended up, in bad TV movies or low budget dreck (ENEMY TERRITORY aside) Too bad, because he had the makings of another JAMES DEAN (and gives a similar performance in this movie) Hunt this movie out (if you can, it's quite rare) but you'll be glad you did. Another notable aspect, is the fine (and rather haunting) musical score, including the main theme (sung by HOYT AXTON) which never fails to bring a lump in my throat, and made all the more lyrical, by the movies tragic (yet strangely, touching) ending.A fine unseen gem, and well worth hunting down piece of 70's obscure 10 out of 10

Buster and Billie touched my heart i was twelve the first time i seen it at our small town drive-in i'm forty-two now. It was a true love story i remember crying so much and thinking Billie never had ever hurt anyone in her life or Buster. I loved it when he bought her that beautiful dress because she had never had anything. Buster was so in love with her and treated her so very special like Billie deserved. I would love to see it again if i could find it. I would for sure need tissues if i watched it again it was so very sad. I'm so glad they found one another and had a wonderful time together even though it was a short time. I hope all of you who enjoy a great movie get to see it. Tam from Indiana