Charming Billy (1999)

Director:

William R. Pace

Writers:

William R. Pace (story) and
Douglas Huebner (story) ...

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Billy Starkman is a seemingly ordinary man living in a small Midwestern town who one day wakes up, murders his family...

Plot Keywords:

Water Tower | Sniper | Killing Spree | Independent Film | Character Name In Title

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Michael Hayden	...	Jeremiah William 'Billy' Starkman
Sally Murphy	...	Linda Starkman
Anthony Mockus Sr.	...	Grandfather (as Tony Mockus)
Chelcie Ross	...	Raymond Starkman
Bernadette O'Malley	...	Mary Starkman
Adam Tanguay	...	10 Year Old Billy
Randall Huber	...	1st Driver / Sports Car Driver
Nancy Haggerty	...	Minnie (as Nancy J. Haggerty)
Mary Young	...	Woman Driver
Michael Sassone	...	Arnelle
Ryan Kelley	...	10 Year Old Duane
Paul Skaggs	...	Lucky Pickup Truck Driver
Oksana Fedunyszyn	...	Laundry Lady
Cynthia Baker	...	Laundry Manager
Prakash Silveri	...	Laundry Worker #1

Runtime:

82 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Filming Locations:

Havana, Illinois, USA

Company:

SledgeHammer MFA Films

Goofs:

Continuity: About 48 minutes into the movie, Billy and his grandfather are watching home movies. When we see the movie projector from far away, the front reel is very small and the back reel is big. In close-ups of the projector, both reels are the same size.

Quotes:

Ray Starkman: Shoulda figured you for a breast man; never did think we'd get you offa your mothers.
Billy Starkman: Maybe that's the problem, there's too many opportunities. Opportunities for advancement, opportunities for growth...opportunities for opportunities missed.

Movie Connections:

References Popiól i diament (1958)

Great movie, really well acted

I caught this on IFC the other day (Thank God for that channel). I was blown away. Although the cast is relatively unknown, they do an amazing job of following one man's descent into madness, and the chilling effects on those around him. I am really perplexed by all the "controversiy" that surrounded this movie, yet torture films like SAW III and Hostel don't ruffle any feathers. Although disturbing, Charming Billy is a story, not just a bunch of scenes where naked women are cut to pieces, brain surgery is performed with drills, and everyone is basically a little dumber for watching them. Catch this hidden gem if you get a chance.