Something about the times I think made Bobbie Gentry's Old To Billie Joe a real stand out even today in our popular music and culture. The assassinations, the Vietnam War, post civil rights era and finally that spark of revolution from Stonewall. The last when a movie was made of Bobbie Gentry's narrative song it was given a gay theme.
Even in 2017 I can see this same story being played out exactly the same. This awkward kid Billy Joe McAllister kind of likes Bobby Lee Hartley. But one night getting totally plastered he gives into a man who has his way with him.
The overwhelming guilt that Robby Benson feels is that he liked it. But according to the mores of his bible belt community this is the worst thing possible. Then he has trouble with Glynis O'Connor playing Bobby Lee. Liked with a guy, couldn't perform with a girl, he felt he had no reason to live. In some of our communities that attitude holds sway still. Possibly Benson might have taken some snake oil conversion therapy and hope for a cure. Nothing worse than being gay except being gay in the bible belt.
At the end we learn it was his employer James Best who seduced him and Best and O'Connor decide what to do. Some might scoff but I think what O'Connor does is simple and sweet in her own way. One thing is certain, she certainly knows how the minds of her neighbors work.
A wonderful film inspired by a great ballad.
Even in 2017 I can see this same story being played out exactly the same. This awkward kid Billy Joe McAllister kind of likes Bobby Lee Hartley. But one night getting totally plastered he gives into a man who has his way with him.
The overwhelming guilt that Robby Benson feels is that he liked it. But according to the mores of his bible belt community this is the worst thing possible. Then he has trouble with Glynis O'Connor playing Bobby Lee. Liked with a guy, couldn't perform with a girl, he felt he had no reason to live. In some of our communities that attitude holds sway still. Possibly Benson might have taken some snake oil conversion therapy and hope for a cure. Nothing worse than being gay except being gay in the bible belt.
At the end we learn it was his employer James Best who seduced him and Best and O'Connor decide what to do. Some might scoff but I think what O'Connor does is simple and sweet in her own way. One thing is certain, she certainly knows how the minds of her neighbors work.
A wonderful film inspired by a great ballad.