Mississippi, 1953. Gangly, yet likable and persistent Billy Joe McAllister (an excellent and engaging performance by Robby Benson) falls in love with precocious fifteen-year-old Bobbie Lee Hartley (a fine and appealing performance by Glynnis O'Connor). However, things go awry after Billy Joe becomes ashamed and suicidal over something awful he did at a jamboree while drunk out of his mind.
Director Max Baer Jr., working from a compelling script by Herman Raucher, offers a strong downhome rural atmosphere and a vivid depiction of the 1950's period setting; it's this surprisingly potent sense of time and place along with the stark rendering of the era's stifling sexual mores centered on the concepts of guilt and sin which in turn give this movie a sinewy dramatic punch. The winning and natural chemistry between Benson and O'Connor further holds the film together; they receive sturdy support from Joan Hotchkis as Bobbie Lee's doting mom Anna, Sandy McPeak as her no-nonsense dad Glenn, James Best as amiable saw mill boss Dewey Barksdale, and Terence Goodman as Bobbie Lee's hearty brother James. Michael Hugo's pretty cinematography provides a lovely picturesque look. Michael Legrand's delicately melodic score hits the harmonic spot. A solid little film.
Director Max Baer Jr., working from a compelling script by Herman Raucher, offers a strong downhome rural atmosphere and a vivid depiction of the 1950's period setting; it's this surprisingly potent sense of time and place along with the stark rendering of the era's stifling sexual mores centered on the concepts of guilt and sin which in turn give this movie a sinewy dramatic punch. The winning and natural chemistry between Benson and O'Connor further holds the film together; they receive sturdy support from Joan Hotchkis as Bobbie Lee's doting mom Anna, Sandy McPeak as her no-nonsense dad Glenn, James Best as amiable saw mill boss Dewey Barksdale, and Terence Goodman as Bobbie Lee's hearty brother James. Michael Hugo's pretty cinematography provides a lovely picturesque look. Michael Legrand's delicately melodic score hits the harmonic spot. A solid little film.