http://filmeyeballsbrain.com/2009/05/11/john-schlesinger-billy-liar-1963/

This is a popular classic which I hadn’t seen before. Unfortunately, I wasn’t particularly impressed. Billy is a young man who dreams of a better life, with a fantasy world he escapes to at times. Unfortunately he has not learned to distinguish fact from fantasy, and tells stories not just to his parents but to his friends and colleagues. He’s managed to get engaged to two different young women, and is in trouble for having forgotten to post a large number of calendars some months previously.

A few amusing moments, and it was interesting to see the film that – apparently – was the first one featuring a young Julie Christie. But on the whole I thought it silly rather than humorous, and rather a sad reflection of someone living such a boring life that he never grew up. Rather a discouraging ending, too.

I hate to admit it, but I could really relate to the main character in “Billy Liar.” I was an enormous fibber as a young woman! Lived in a dream world, created people and dramas for my own entertainment and the entertainment of my friends.

But reality always comes crashing down on one, and thank God I grew out of those fantasies. I wonder though, did Billy ever learn his lesson, really?

This is truly a gem of a film. One of those great British films of the early ‘60s. Priceless.