La Légende de Billie Jean

In Texas, the hot teenager Billie Jean Davy (Helen Slater) lives with her brother Binx (Christian Slater) and her mother in a trailer. In a hot day, she rides with Binx on his scooter to swim in a lake. However, the bully Huble Pyatt (Barry Tubb) steals the scooter with his friends. Billie Jean goes to the police but Detective Ringwald (Peter Coyote) does not give much attention to her. When Binx tries to retrieve his scooter, Huble trashes the scooter and beats Binx up. Billie Jean goes with her brother Binx and her friend Ophelia (Martha Gehman) to the store of Huble's father Pyatt (Richard Bradford) with the repair bill and the old man lures Billie Jean and brings her to his office. Then he harass and tries to rape her. Meanwhile Binx finds a gun in the cash register and her accidentally shoots Pyatt. Billie Jean, Binx. Ophelia and their teenage neighbor Putter (Yeardley Smith) flee from Ophelia's car. They meet the teenager Lloyd (Keith Gordon), who is the estranged son of the D.A. Muldaur (Dean Stockwell), he proposes to be their "hostage" so that the runaway teenagers could get some money for their journey. When Billie Jean watches Otto Preminger 's "Saint Joan" at Lloyd's television, she cuts her hair short and makes a video with her explanation and demands, becoming and icon worshiped by the teenagers. Meanwhile Detective Ringwald finds the mess, he realizes that he should have listened to Billie Jean and tries to fix the situation.

"The Legend of Billie Jean" is a super-cult movie from the 80's and maybe Helen Slater's best film in her career. The plot entwines action and drama and it is delightful to watch. In the 80's, many viewers believed that Helen Slater and Christian Slater were siblings since they have the same last name. The story of a wronged teenager that cuts her hair in Joan of Arc's style and becomes an idol of the youth has not aged and is still wonderful to watch. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "A Lenda de Billie Jean" ("The Legend of Billie Jean")

I saw this movie when I was a kid, and it instantly became one of my personal favorites. Helen Slater's performance is unforgettable about a young girl and her instant rebel/outlaw status. This is definitely a cult favorite, and appropriately so. For some undescribable reason, this film grabs at you in a way that most movies never do. You seem to care a lot for Billie Jean, and want her to get the justice she deserves. Every rebellious youth should see this film so they can see what happens on both sides of the law, and for a highly entertaining movie. Full of 80's music (especially the kick-ass Pat Benatar theme song), The Legend of Billie Jean is truly a remarkable film that was overlooked by too many people for its brilliance.

I can't believe I've never watched this show before when I was younger. I just saw it on cable. I won't say it has the best plot, story, characters or anything, but there's just this mysterious element that draws us to Billie Jean. All those kids in the film were incredible. My father was watching with me he smiled when he saw that little boy who sent the tape to the police. How cute!

This film does reflect some truths. Some adults simply think that fairness is not for kids. Children are not entitled to justice. But few do stand up against this false belief. That is why Billie Jean is a heroine.

To add, Helen Slater is just so beautiful.

I sort of look at this film as a cult classic. I see it as sort of a 1980s Rebel Without A Cause. Helen Slater is another actress who has really never been given just credit. She made her film debut the year before in Supergirl and it was a film everyone made fun of. I don't think thats fair to her, because she is a fine actress and proves it here. Unlike James Dean's character, she does "have the right to be angry" and fights back against a corrupt system. Some people may say this film condones vigilante activities, but I think this is a film with a positive message. I also loved Pat Benetar's song "We Will Be Invincible", it should have gotten an Oscar.

I have seen this movie so many times it's ridiculous. I have never rented it, but I know all of the lines because it comes on so often. I forced my husband to watch it with me once, and now he has to watch it whenever it comes on. After seeing this movie once it becomes strangely addictive. It's not even that good. It's actually very cheesy, especially when the movie compares Billie Jean to Joan of Arc. But it's a perfect example of a great 80's movie. The music is good and very catchy. Plus, it features a young Christian Slater. And remember, "fair is fair!!"