Regarding Billy

Regarding Billy, a 2005 drama film, follows the story of 17-year old Billy Evans, played by Ron Smith, who suffers from a rare form of amnesia that wipes out his memory every night. Billy's life revolves around his daily routine of writing down everything he knows about himself and the people in his life before he goes to sleep, so that he can read it the next morning to remember who he is and what he has to do.

The film starts with Billy waking up one morning and finding out that his mother had died the previous night due to an overdose. With no memory of his past or his family history, he struggles to come to terms with his loss and find a sense of belonging.

As Billy attempts to piece together his life, he discovers that he has a strained relationship with his father, played by Jack Sway, who is an alcoholic and suffers from a mental illness. Throughout the film, we see the emotional turmoil that both Billy and his father go through as they try to connect with each other, despite their deeply ingrained issues.

Amidst this, Billy also manages to find love with his neighbor, played by Jason Van Eman, who helps him to navigate his amnesia and shows him how to create new memories.

The film expertly explores the themes of loss, trauma, and redemption, as Billy struggles to come to grips with his past and create a new future for himself. The performances by the lead actors are exceptional, with Ron Smith delivering a nuanced portrayal of a young man struggling with his identity, and Jack Sway delivering a heart-wrenching performance as a father attempting to make amends with his son.

The direction, cinematography, and soundtrack of the film are also noteworthy, creating a melancholic and reflective tone that captures the essence of the film's themes. The use of flashbacks, voiceovers, and intercutting also helps to establish a sense of time and place, adding to the film's emotional depth.

Overall, Regarding Billy is a powerful and emotive film that explores the human condition with great depth and sensitivity. It is a poignant reminder that our past doesn't define us and that we can always find a way to create a new future for ourselves, even in the face of immense obstacles.