Comments on: Billy the Kid

By: Bill

Bill — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:43:21 +0000

Billy has Asperger’s syndrome – so he is on the high functioning end of the autism spectrum.
The film was not exploitative and was refreshing in that it portrayed the young man with a degree of naivety.

By: Phillip Johnston

Phillip Johnston — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:05:03 +0000

I hope those little movies like Mamma’s Man and Sunshine Cleaning come my way before the end of the year. I’d like to see them.

The film actually never implies autism, but perhaps it could be easily assumed I guess. In any case, it’s good the director didn’t fall into the temptation to exploit.

By: Sam Juliano

Sam Juliano — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:44:10 +0000

Well Phillip, you’ve stumped me yet again. I have never seen BILLY THE KID, at least not “this” BILLY THE KID!

I like his self-description: “I’m not black, not white, not foreign, just different.” I read through the review and saw some ’similarities’ with the lead character in this year’s MAMMA’S MAN, at least in the eccentric sense. But the implied autism angle certainly sets this documentary apart. That time you spent in music camps in Philadelphia will one day be seen as priceless.

Another excellent review by one’s of Movie Zeal’s finest.

By: Rick Olson

Rick Olson — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 16:34:41 +0000

Saw this film, couldn’t agree with your assessment more. Fine piece, Phillip.

By: Phillip Johnston

Phillip Johnston — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:59:32 +0000

Seems like a quirky but typical high school kid just finding his way through life’s awkward years.

You got it. If he were autistic, the film would reek of exploitation … it would have been edgy, though. The whole affair seems very amateurish. It has endearing moments, but like I said…

By: Daniel

Daniel — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:15:42 +0000

I don’t get it. Is he autistic? Is there anything otherwise abnormal about him? Seems like a quirky but typical high school kid just finding his way through life’s awkward years.