MovieChat Forums > Seven Psychopaths (2012) Discussion > Was Billy in love with Marty??

Was Billy in love with Marty??

posted 12 years ago by leeleepowerz
14 replies | jump to latest

So, I have a theory and this may seem crazy, but bare with me!

All throughout the movie, I thought subtle little hints were being dropped everywhere that Billy (Rockwell) was actually totally gay for Marty (Farrell).

Did anyone else pick up on this?!

I first thought of it when Billy was talking to himself in front of the mirror before the party, can't remember exactly what was said, but there was a line there that could have been taken as an allusion towards a homoerotic undertone. And then when Marty woke up in Billy's apartment, I thought Billy had drugged him and had his way with him haha (clearly, I know that didn't happen, was just my thought process at the time). Another tip off was how much Billy seemed to hate Kaya, almost as if he was jealous of her.

But then I decided I had probably read into it too much- until the scene where Billy is with Angela and he can't get it up, but blames it on the condom- I saw that as him being totally disinterested in vagina.

Then, of course, at the end end Billy tells Marty he loves him. I know it wasn't a terribly sexual admission, it was like a "love you like a brother" type thing, but still could be taken as a little bit of a clue? Maybe he wanted to get out his true feelings before thinking he was gonna die?

Anyone?

[–] Pzachlen 12 years ago

You might be right. This writer would not shy away from such a thing. Must check it out again. Interesting observation.

[–] vaise11 12 years ago

I thought it too but didn't think the movie said one way or the other.
Maybe he was. Does it change the movie, though? Not really.

[–] Pzachlen 12 years ago

Things do not always need to be said. Sometime it best to just imply. I have the film and will look out for this next time.

[–] DrunkN_M 12 years ago

I think you're reading too much into it. The way I saw it, is that he was trying really hard to be a good friend, even though at the beginning of the movie, when we first meet him, it didn't seem that way. Marty found notes that billy left to himself, saying to remind Marty to stop drinking and to keep pushing on the movie ideas. Combine that, with the fact that he was a psychopath (two actually!) and that makes for a very interesting character.

[–] Pzachlen 12 years ago

I don't think either characteristic cancels one or the other. Most Gays I have known are psychopaths. LOL

[–] juvenilesucess 12 years ago

no, i was actually getting the same vibe! there was a level to the friendship that was not strictly platonic on billys side i think

[–] leeleepowerz 12 years ago

Mmm, thanks for the feedback everyone!
I never really meant that it was full on lust or deep love, but maybe just a really strong affection to him?
And yeah I like that it was never flat out addressed, but obviously there was enough there to illicit discussion.
Glad I'm not the only one, it definitely adds a really interesting component to the character.

[–] bassgoilius 11 years ago

I just watched it. When he's talking in/to the mirror, the imaginary person's name is Dimitry. The conversation seems like one a person would have when they are trying to pick someone up. That sort of threw me. I don't think he was in love with Marty. But he may have been gay.

[–] roryeng 12 years ago

I think you're reading too much into it.

Billy just seemed a little obsessive about Marty.

If woken up in friend's homes after a night out drinking. I never jumped to the conclusion that I was raped by them though. I don't know why you would think Billy did that to Marty.

I remember Angela saying he hasn't been around in a while, then implies she has some STD. So they've been sexing before. I can't remember what scenes led up to that, but I'm sure there's an indication of why he's too preoccupied to perform. Some times you don't get it up, it happens.

As for the last bit... they were definitely banging in the tent while Walken was off with his spirit animal.

[–] mr_maigo 11 years ago

Not love love, no. He was full of love though. He loved Hans, he loved the dog and yes, he loved Marty. I didn't see anything sexual.

What, you think men can't love each other without butt sex? Grow up.

[–] dhgunit 11 years ago

Best friends always hate their friend's girl. They just get in the way of having fun. Nature of the beast.

Maybe he was, maybe he wasn't. I personally don't think it is important to the story really if Billy is straight or gay, so I didn't even think about it.

[–] eyerollheadshake 11 years ago

OP - that's what they call 'homoerotic subtext'. And yes, I believe you are correct.

[–] RSTooley 9 years ago

In my mind, Billy is clearly gay. At the beginning of the movie, Billy tells Marty that he has a girlfriend that he cannot tell him about for his protection. He was seeing Angela at the time, so this might have been true, but the phrased it as if he had told him things like this in the past.

Before Kaya's party Billy practices some conversation he'd like to make in front of the mirror. Some of the dialogue featured something like: "Who are you? Dimitri? Where are you from?"

Billy couldn't "keep it up" with Angela later in the film and told Marty he loved him near the end.

The evidence, while subtle, seems to be there.

"When there's no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth."
Dawn of the Dead

[–] purple66 8 years ago

I got that feeling too.