Is Billy: Portrait of a Street Kid Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1977)

📖 The Core Premise

Billy: Portrait of a Street Kid returns to the screen in 1977, bringing a fresh narrative to the TV Movie, Drama genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "A young ghetto kid despairs of ever getting out of that environment and making something of himself, until one day he gets a job as an assistant in a veterinarian's office, and working with all the animals begins to affect his outlook on life."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. LeVar Burton attempts to elevate the material, but the direction leaves them with little to work with. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good TV Movie. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Billy: Portrait of a Street Kid worth your time? If you appreciate TV Movie, Drama films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Billy: Portrait of a Street Kid misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 98 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.