netflixed

I know next to nothing about British/English cinema. Billy Liar makes we want to explore more fully the celluloid offerings of our mates across the pond.

Tom Courtenay plays Billy Fischer, an overly imaginative young wastrel whose continual lying gets him into terrible difficulties. Screwball comedies which manage to evoke a heavy sadness are rare indeed, and Courtenay perfectly conveys Billy's tragi-comic duality. A fine film, worth watching just for footage of frisky Julie Christie strolling around town. And it's Criterion, so the transfer is exquisite.

And yes, I added this film to my Netflix queue because of Yo La Tengo: