moonspinner55 High school senior in rural Georgia community in 1948 develops genuine feelings for the town squeeze, a fellow student whose bad reputation belies a shy, insecure girl with a good heart. More teenage reminiscences set in the past from a 'sensitive' screenwriter (in this case, Ron Turbeville, working from Ron Bartron's manufactured plot and his own childhood memories). Jan-Michael Vincent is terrific as Buster, a rather benign hell-raiser who trades in nice girl Pamela Sue Martin for Joan Goodfellow, an easy target for the horny guys just looking for a good time. Vincent admirably doesn't rely on his matinée good looks to get his character across; striking a nimble balance between an uninspired, ordinary kid and a young man dealing with mature emotions, the actor nearly keeps his lady-killer smile in check (he also doesn't duck the camera self-consciously--he gives what is needed). Vincent is the only reason to see the film, the other kids seeming like leftovers from "Summer of '42" and beyond. Tale of teen tragedy has strong moments, but not an unerring eye for detail nor an ear for natural conversation. There are also the obligatory scenes: the drive-in movie date, skinny-dipping at the lake, the father-son chat, the showdown at the local pool hall. It's stilted and soapy and familiar--like an R-rated revamping of "Claudelle Inglish". Director Daniel Petrie engineers the pathos with workmanlike skill. ** from ****

hinds1985 One of my favorite movies. If you have not seen it, you should put it on your list of flicks to see. Jan Michael Vincent is wonderful as Buster. And Billie, you just fall in love with her character. I give this movie a 10. The story is much more than a love story. It is a story about a time, about life in the deep south and the bias's that existed in the 1940's. There are plenty of strong words used, but they seem to belong in the movie. There is violence, love, revenge, and just about every other emotion that you can expect to find in a good movie. I strongly suggest that you make a big bowl of popcorn, grab your favorite soda, and sit on your favorite spot and enjoy this movie in the dark and completely immerse yourself in it. It is that good.

Ralph First, if you are going to see this flick, do not see an edited version on TV, see the uncut video version (if there is one, which I doubt). I don't want to sound like a copycat of Matchstick's review but I wanted to write about when I saw this flick first (and only one time since). I was 10 years old, my family situation was a horrific mess that summer of 74. I was actually living with people I had never met before (not even distant relatives) who were taking care of me for the summer and it was a screwed up time needless to say (although thank God they were good (?) people). They took me along with them to see a double feature of Buster and Billie and Easy Rider, in that order. Man what a movie to watch at 10! Well, I guess nowadays kids are exposed to more adult stuff but I'm glad it was run before Easy Rider cause man I was noddin off on my own trip when those cats were in New Orleans! After the films were over you should have seen the looks those adults who brought me in to the movies got when people saw that I was watching both those films! Spoilers... I definitely remember the skinny dipping and the full frontal stuff (Jan Michael from what I remember didn't suffer from the George Castanza "shrinkage" from the water, lol only in the movies right, guess thats the difference between the Big and little screen, eh?), and the double murder in the bar (or was it a triple?) caught the entire audience by surprise I think. Classic Ending that really made the movie special too. Highly recommended in the uncut version, (probably not a wise choice to show a 10 year old, but I think I turned out OK despite it).

ptb-8 How's that full frontal scene with JMV walking towards the camera! The audience at the cinema that session went absolutely ballistic as they realised has taking it ALL off and was about to display the full monty python! It was an audience of 18 year olds and they were just blown out of their seats, so to speak. Then of course, we all settled down to the awful raping and the usual bashing and walked out crying. A big surprise in its day and a lot of peoples almost favourite teen experience movie. Also a good JMV film and a great memory of 70s cinema. Probably his best along with BIG Wednesday in 1978. Incredible to know JMV is now over 64 years old and not in good health. He was then, and is still so popular and well remembered.