What can happen when a young girl feels unheard? Directed by Matthew Robbins, this drama introduces us to Billie Jean Davy ( Helen Slater ),...
Charged with a crime they didn't commit, Billie Jean chops her locks in an act of defiance, sparking a youth revolution and becoming an outlaw martyr overnight.
As they run from the law and societal norms, our outcast gang becomes folk heroes for the disenchanted youth, all while the media narrative turns their story into an epic saga of justice.
Dubbed by some as "the worst movie ever made" – a badge of honor in the world of cult classics – "The Legend of Billie Jean" is soaked in '80s charm, style, and music.
Even at the time, this critique was questioned. White American male hijinx movies were commonplace (and dumb). Can we Ladies just have something different every once in a while?
Males were getting meaningless and non-funny movies that went nowhere but to the land of fast sex, misogyny, pranks, body "humor", and gross food "jokes."
On the other hand, women's movies seemed to be under so much more pressure to be "epic"& "groundbreaking". We just wanted two hours of entertainment with a bucket of popcorn, soda, and Raisinets.
(I know. Things are still that way.)
Enter Pat Benatar because "The Legend of Billie Jean" (1985)'80s rebellion, and hairstyles that scream freedom!
#TeamBillieJean
This Billie Jean tale is a tale of misunderstood youth standing up against "the man", proving that with enough spunk (and an awesome soundtrack), you can become invincible.
That was your clue. It was the brilliantly vulnerable and edgy Pat Benatar on the title track of the soundtrack that sold it. She was a true rockstar and some of us girls and women wanted to rock out too.
Who needed a movie? Check out her videos. Pretty entertaining. We got a movie though, and it was okay. Something to go with our popcorn, soda, and candy. Good for a nostalgic evening.
Corny. Cringe. Cult classic = fun. Sometimes, anyway.
Again, Pat Benatar.
