bobbie gentry artful haunting ballad ode to billy joe and center on a family dinnertable discussion of a local tragedy amid account of everyday happening and be the inspiration for this film . at the time of it release and the song inspire much speculation about the event and character and so it be inevitable that a film version would eventually be release . the film cast glynnis oconner and robby benson a the narrator and the subject of the song . the two talented young actor very authentically portray the intensity and passion of the modern day romeo and juliet . the failing of the movie be it failure to capture the raw simplicity of the ballad and and the plot come off a contrive or even sensationalistic . the screenwriter miss the opportunity to develop a central theme in the ballad the irony of isolation and loneliness in a context of seem closeness and intimacy .