MovieChat Forums > The Legend of Billie Jean (1985) Discussion > cult classic? come on the movie lost its...

cult classic? come on the movie lost its way in the second half

posted 16 years ago by rounder53
17 replies | jump to latest

I don't get it, how it this a cult classic? Am I missing something?

Or how pathetically the rebellious teenagers made out this film mean something in itself? I can understand how Heathers or the Breakfast Club was rebellious for its time but come on, this is just cheese, maybe finely aged 80s cheese but still cheese.

The second half / ending is what ruined it the most, totally unbelievable sequencing of events, and then she ends up with her brother in Vermont somehow? what happened to the other guy she was supposedly in love with? some sort of incestuous relationship going on here?

Though I can see how people like this movie, maybe the corny 80s feel is what makes it work, I really enjoyed the first half and the soundtrack, good casting too but I have to agree with Pat Benetar on this one, maybe a 6/10 tops.

[–] novastar_6 16 years ago

Some people just can't see the gold for its lack of shine.

[–] rounder53 16 years ago

figures the only person lurking here would respond in such a pretentious matter in only one sentence

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] SydneyIz 16 years ago

I don't get it, how it this a cult classic? Am I missing something?

Or how pathetically the rebellious teenagers made out this film mean something in itself? I can understand how Heathers or the Breakfast Club was rebellious for its time but come on, this is just cheese, maybe finely aged 80s cheese but still cheese.

The second half / ending is what ruined it the most, totally unbelievable sequencing of events, and then she ends up with her brother in Vermont somehow? what happened to the other guy she was supposedly in love with? some sort of incestuous relationship going on here?

Though I can see how people like this movie, maybe the corny 80s feel is what makes it work, I really enjoyed the first half and the soundtrack, good casting too but I have to agree with Pat Benetar on this one, maybe a 6/10 tops.

I am gonna have to...................agree for most the part with OP. I loved this movie, but I can't give it higher than 5 or 6 (not low enough for a 4).

It was good movie for the first 45 to 60 minutes....but it did get cheesy beyond that. It was kind of silly at times, uneven....but even with that it had it's moments in the 2nd half. They just weren't consistent, but it was an enjoyable movie.

[–] Doc110894 16 years ago

I like the whole movie, but the first half is definitely the best part.

[–] SydneyIz 16 years ago

It wasn't a bad movie.

[–] billybarnett806 8 years ago

I enjoyed this movie all the way through, I was born in the 90's so it might be a generation thing but still.

"Like my great grandpappy used to say, when life gives you booty, make bootyade!"-Big E of New Day

[–] genkisam 16 years ago

Well I don't know about anybody else...but a lot of the 80s movies I like (Tomboy, Heavenly Bodies, My Chauffer) are pure cheese and I love them for it. They're part of my childhood right along with this movie.

[–] rounder53 16 years ago

what do you guys think of The Lost Boys? I'd put that more along the lines of a cult classic

[–] dhshoops2001 16 years ago

This is not a "cult classic"...it's a horrible, cheese-infested mess. The movie is notable however for it's mid 1980's vibe/soundtrack and it's rather impressive and eclectic cast.

I would say 'Heathers' is a much better example of a teen "cult classic" from this general era.

[–] steeler33 16 years ago

Yea this is not as good as 'The lost boys', but it is what I would kind of call a "classic". It is one of those movies that people aged 30-35 know was on cable all the time during the 1980's when we were 10-15. Just brings back some memories thats all. We liked it then, couldnt really watch it now, but can still get some good memories out of it......

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] hackerman6731 10 years ago

Exactly, I just re-watched it for the first time in probably 15 years or more (I've seen bits and pieces over the years), it's a cheesy movie, but in a good way. I would call it a classic, I remember watching it as a kid in the 80s and it was on a lot, I was lucky to have a VCR in around 85 and my brother recorded it off HBO (I doubt I did since I was only 5 at the time).

[–] bigcat20 10 years ago

I just watched this last night for like the first time in probably 20-25 years. The story is more ridiculous now watching it as a grown man, ha. Helen Slater's attempt at a Tx accent cracked me up many times but she was in her absolute prime looks wise so it didn't matter.

[–] kaydie-fee 10 years ago

The slightly ridiculous plot is probably part of the reason it's a cult classic, cult films are never usually 'perfect' films, they're usually weird, unique,campy, love/hate, divide the audience etc TLOBJ has a great 80s summertime atmosphere and a cool soundtrack - it has a lot of charm

[–] tpcorless 9 years ago

I agree with the OP that the first half is great. The set-up is strong and you like the character and worry about their predicament.

To me, the movie falls apart once she cuts her hair. It has nothing to do with liking or not liking the hair, but I grew less interested in the story as it seemed the writer lost confidence in the story or didn't know where to go from this point forward.

[–] billybarnett806 8 years ago

I disagree, I just saw it for the first time and loved it from beginning to end, I was honestly shocked to see this be so underrated.

"Like my great grandpappy used to say, when life gives you booty, make bootyade!"-Big E of New Day