Combined social realism ('portraying life as it is lived' using elements of documentary style)/kitchen sink drama, with fantasy (Billy's day dreams).Made at a time when Britain 'never had it so good' - there was prosperity, social change, upward mobility (opportunity to move up through the class system). This was especially the case for youth through education (Grammar schools/university), parents that were financially secure so didn't need looking after - so the youth had more opportunities and freedom - for Billy this includes the freedom to dream.Billy and Liz are two different representations of youth - Liz who uses this freedom and opportunity and Billy who wants to but seems reluctant to escape his life.Billy's fantasies are not subversive - rather than desiring the freedom that Liz has, he aspires to be the war hero, the government minister or from a wealthy background. He wants the success that exists within the existing social structures.There is a circular nature to the film - we begin with Billy dreaming in bed and we end with Billy dreaming on the way home. So despite all the drama - has anything really changed for Billy?Billy's daydreams usually involve a newsreel type commentary - it could be argued that he uses media structures and templates to construct his fantasy identity.Similarities with modern day representations: Experimentation with different identities. An idea of youth being a period of 'becoming, rather than being' - finding a role. A time of 'storm and stress' with inter-generational conflict. Risky behaviour - sex, partying, petty crime. Dreaming, aspiring to improve life, become something better.Differences with modern day representations Family and the way it suffocates is significant - today the parents/adults are often seen as absent. The explicitness of the depiction of sex/crime/violence is significantly different. Billy wants to climb the existing social structure rather than reject it. Class and the place in society is a more pressing issue. Youth - mainly through Liz - is seen as something to envied and cherished.
In this scene we get to see some clear inter-generational conflict between Billy and his family.
What are the various things Billy's Father thinks he should do? List them - what do they have in common?
What is Billy's mother attitude to him?
What does the composition of the shot in the kitchen tell us about Billy and his family? (see below)
Here's a clip from Rebel Without A Cause - a Hollywood film about adolescent angst that came out in 1955 - eight years before Billy Liar. Can you see any similarities between the two scenes? What representation of youth are we getting?
Billy and Liz
This is the scene where Billy confines in Liz about his fantasy world and Liz talks about how she turns her dreams into reality by just going for it.
Watcht the clip and compare and contrast Billy and Liz's attitude to life and the opportunities they have. What is holding Billy back? What roles does Billy play in his fantasy?
Compare Billy's and Liz's representation with the type of representation outlined here - which are relevant? Which are less so? Can you explain why?
