In How to Date Billy Walsh, teenager Archie has been in love with his best friend, Amelia all his life. It’s something he’s always wanted to tell her, but he’s never been able to find the words.
However, after cocking things up in the past, even to the point he temporarily convinced Amelia into thinking he was gay, Archie finally has a plan to confess all. He’s worked it all out, he’ll time it perfectly to coincide with the June Ball, and when the moment comes he will utter three simple words: I love you.
But before Archie can enact his plan, a new wrinkle occurs. Hunky US teen, Billy Walsh arrives at school, catches the attention of the girls, and makes Amelia’s heart swoon.
Can Archie work around this latest problem and confess all to Amelia? Or will everything come crashing down around him now that Billy the dreamboat is on the scene?
Directed by Alex Pillai, and starring Sebastian Croft, Charithra Chandran, Tanner Buchanan, Kunal Nayyar, Tim Downie, Lucy Punch, and Nick Frost, How to Date Billy Walsh is a British teen comedy. The movie is new to stream on Amazon Prime Video from today and is a frothy romp that is unlikely to do much for adult audiences, but should do the trick for the teen crowd.
At times it has a similar vibe to Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging (2008) and movies of the same ilk, so if you have someone in your household who likes this type of film, How to Date Billy Walsh should meet similar approval. That said, Angus and many teen movies like it are rated ‘12’, while Billy is a ‘15’ due to strong language and sexual references, so you may wish to take a look before unleashing it on the adolescents in your life.
Essentially, How to Date Billy Walsh is a daft picture, built around crushes and teenage drama. Archie’s plight is at the centre of the story, and the film looks at his attempts to win over Amelia, and the bad choices he makes.
It’s largely predictable stuff, but it is put together in a fun way. The film is filled with heart ache, hormones, and humour, as well as a bunch of pop songs and some fab UK scenery, and all of this lights up the screen.
The movie also benefits from a solid lead in Sebastian Croft, who is excellent as Archie and gets to deliver some great lines, including the brilliant: “Come on Amelia, we’ve got geography. And these bitches are history.”
How to Date Billy Walsh is told from Archie’s point of view, so at various times through the film he addresses the audience and this adds to the fun. He also shares strong on-screen chemistry with co-star Charithra Chandran, who plays Amelia.
Tanner Buchanan is the only weak link in the film, but this isn’t his fault; he’s stuck in the thankless role of Billy Walsh. Billy’s main aim in the film is to look pretty and say very little, which Buchanan achieves fine, but it’s not a particularly rewarding part.
However, this little stumble aside, How to Date Billy Walsh ticks all the right boxes in all the ways that matter. The story is fine, it looks good, and there’s a playful tone.
Those looking for an enjoyable teen rom-com will find it here. It won’t bowl anyone over, but it may win your heart.
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