Billy Liar

Billy Liar (Criterion #121). 1963 Janus Films, Rialto Pictures & StudioCanal.
Starring: Tom Courtenay, Julie Christie, Wilfred Pickles, Mona Washbourne
Director: John Schlesinger
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Somewhere in the north of England, Billy Fisher (Courtenay) lives with his parents and works as an assistant at a funeral parlor. Billy counters his drab, wretched life with his imagination, where he pretends to be the ruler of an imaginary country named Ambrosia, when he isn't exaggerating the facts of his real life to make it seem more interesting or shocking. Billy is also engaged to two women at the same time, but has another girlfriend named Liz (Christie) on the side. He also has a fantasy about becoming a screenwriter.

Billy's oft-stated intention, which he's never acted upon, is to move to London, where his dreams will become reality. Liz encourages him to pursue this dream, which Billy finally does on a really bad day (his fiancees find out about each other, and he almost gets his grandmother killed). However, when the train departs for London, will Billy really be on it? Or will he be headed back to his parents' house, planning to get lost in his imagination once again?

This is the second time I've watched this DVD, and I'm glad I gave it a second chance. The last time, I shut it off more than halfway through, and never finished it. Courtenay gives a decent performance as the dreamer too lazy to get up and pursue what he wants. Recommended, since we've all got some Billy Liar inside of us.