Summary
Overview
A passionate discussion of the 1985 film 'The Legend of Billie Jean' recorded live at Largo in Los Angeles. The hosts debate whether this ahead-of-its-time feminist teen empowerment film belongs on a 'bad movie' podcast, with Jason and June celebrating it as revolutionary cinema while Paul raises questions about its logic. The conversation explores themes of youth empowerment, gender dynamics, class warfare, and the film's cultural impact.
Opening and Film Introduction
The hosts introduce 'The Legend of Billie Jean' with divided opinions immediately apparent. Jason declares it the best movie they've ever covered, while June apologizes for not having seen it sooner. Paul sets up the plot: Texas teenager Billie Jean demands $608 from a shopkeeper who damaged her brother's scooter, leading to attempted sexual assault, an accidental shooting, and the siblings going on the run as Billie Jean becomes an unlikely folk hero.
- The film opened in 14th place at the box office, beaten by a re-release of E.T. among other films
- Billie Jean (Helen Slater) demands $608 to fix her brother Binks's (Christian Slater) scooter after local bully Hubie destroys it
- Mr. Piat attempts to sexually assault Billie Jean instead of paying, leading Binks to shoot him
- The siblings go on the run with friends, with Billie Jean becoming a folk hero through radio coverage
" This is, hands down, I'm not kidding, the best movie we've ever done. Exclamation mark. "
" I'm sorry I hadn't seen it until this afternoon. I would have seen this. Had I seen this when it came out, I would be a different woman right now. I'd be so much better. "
The Movie's Kid Logic and Adult Dismissal
The discussion explores how the film operates entirely from children's perspectives, with adults consistently failing or harming them. Jason emphasizes that the movie's apparent logical gaps are intentional reflections of teenager reasoning, while the film portrays systemic dismissal of young people based on class. The hosts debate why Billie Jean becomes a folk hero before the public knows the full story of the attempted assault.
- The movie only interests itself in children's point of view, rarely cutting to adult perspectives
- Billie Jean and Binks live in a trailer park and are dismissed by authorities because of their class status
- All the children operate from the belief that adults will not believe them or give them justice
- The film depicts class warfare with rich people consistently dismissing 'trailer trash' kids
" This entire movie obeys kid logic at every turn. "
" You are getting caught up in the reality of what she did and what Christian Slater did. What you are missing entirely is how she was standing in for so many feelings of helplessness and powerlessness and children wanting to be heard and wanting to be seen by adults who were dismissing them. "
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