Search - Regarding Billy on DVD

Intimate and touching

M. FUSCO | NEW YORK, NY | 01/31/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Only 71 minutes long, this sweet little film has an engaging ensemble of three actors and a sympathetic musical score. Ronnie Kerr is perfect as Billy. He is genuine, childlike, honest, handsome, wistful, and well-built, with remarkably expressive eyes. Dean, his long-time best friend, announces unexpectedly that he has enlisted, and abruptly leaves home. Jason Van Eman plays Dean in a warm, forthright manner, and the two good-looking leads have a nice, playful - but very frustrating - friendship. Incapable of articulating their feelings, Dean departs with much left unsaid.



By the time the injured Dean returns, Billy is caring for his learning-disabled younger brother, and the story really begins. The three young men learn to become a family and, though each has a handicap to deal with, their unerring love pre-ordains the powerful and intimate conclusion.



The film has its faults, to be sure, which would be more bothersome in a less engaging film. There is a lot of crying, for example, but the actors themselves laugh about this excess in the commentary track. On a purely physical level, one could wish for Billy to take his shirt off at least once, considering the look of his arms and chest in his tight T-shirt!



But the sincerity, skill, and earnestness of the actors overrides any flaws. This is a highly personal statement by writer/director Jeff London and his quietly seductive cast."

Adorable

Michael T. Rognlien | Chicago, IL USA | 03/01/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Yes, it has flaws - a little talky, a little heavy on the crying - but at the core of this film is a sweetness and a sincerity that is hard for even the most jaded among us to resist completely.



While it's no Brokeback Mountain, the acting is decent enough (the eyes on Mr. Kerr are quite distracting) and the story easy enough to relate to. I applaud filmmakers who are trying to take gay cinema more into the real and the relevant; not every film has to have a diva soundtrack, a throng of muscle clones or a revalation about what it means to be gay. Ultimately, our lives, our hopes and our fears are the same - love, loss, family and the pursuit of happiness. While it doesn't dive deep into any of these topics, it touches on them just enough to make the 71-minutes journey well worth the investment, and one you may want to repeat from time to time, whenever you need a reminder that it's the little things - and those closest to us - that hold the keys to happiness in life.. everything else is icing."

A beautiful and touching little movie.

Maxine B. | New Jersey | 04/26/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a sweet and touching little movie. I rented it not knowing what to expect. I honestly expected to be disappointed since there are so many really bad gay themed movies out on the market, but what a pleasant suprise...this one is a winner.



Billy (Ronnie Kerr)has to return back home to look after his younger brother Johnny (Jack Sway). Billy's best friend from childhood Dean (Jason Van Eman) returns from the Iraq war after receiving an head injury. Both Billy and Dean have deep feelings for each other but have no idea how to let the other know. Both men believe that the other is straight and are therefore affraid to let their feelings be known. What unfolds over the next hour and fifteen minutes of play is a story of commitment, love and understanding between family and best friends. I was really touched and suprised at how lovely this movie really was. Both men are very attractive, especially Jason Van Eman who plays Dean, I couldn't take my eyes off his beautiful face and that smile just melts your hearts. The acting from both Jason Van Eman and Rhonnie Kerr was very good. Making the most of their environment on what was a meager $20,000 budget, the guys did the best they could. And the chemistry between the two men was amazing. I sensed that on screen bond which many gay screen couples lack. I had no doubt of the love and phyical attraction they felt for one another. The kisses shared between the two men was also beautiful. I would love to see these two guys star together again in a movie with a larger budget and higher production values.



I now own Regarding Billy and have since watched it many times. I highly recommend this sweet and touching little love story. If you're having a down day just pop it in your DVD player and it will brighten your feelings and leave you with a smile.

"

A Heartwarming DVD For Christmas

Connor Hanson | Texas | 04/09/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you want to experience a "feel good" love story, especially around Christmastime, then you need to see "Regarding Billy." The principal character, Billy, played by Ronnie Kerr, is a truly believable--and loveable--person who always puts the needs of others before his own, as seen in his unselfish love toward his mentally challenged brother, Johnny, played by Jack Sway, after the death of their parents. Billy's unspoken and unexpressed love for his boyhood friend Dean, played by Jason Van Eman, brings just the right amount of tension to the storyline to keep everything interesting. And, of course, we are rewarded with a great ending when Billy summons his courage to tell Dean how he truly feels about him, and discovers that Dean feels the same way. Yes, indeed, it's always great to see the good guys win every now and then. If you're a hopeless romantic at heart, then check out "Regarding Billy." You won't be disappointed."