Lilies

Rating:
Summary: Brought me to a higher level of understanding
Review: As a mother, it is very difficult to hear the words "I am gay" from your child. Apart from your own family, same sex relationships are acceptable. My child is gay. I have to admit, I was very disappointed when she first broke the news. To be gay means putting yourself in a place of prejudice and hardship. There are still many conservative people in our country who cannot and will not accept same sex relationships as part of our world and possibly even biology.

Though this film is not about a lesbian relationship, upon seeing it I was filled with much more hope and understanding for my daughter. I know she will still be faced with adversity but I trust she will pass through it with grace.

THank you so much for giving this mother a sense of relief!

Rating:
Summary: Amazing Film
Review: I loved this movie when I first saw it a the Gay Lesbian Film festival in San Francisco. It is beautifully filmed and is a touching suspenseful story. The way the prisoners transform themselves to act out the part of these 2 men's past is delightful. I am very choosy about the films I own. I bought this one and it stands up to multiple viewings. You must check out this film.

Rating:
Summary: A favorite flick
Review: Lilies is one of my personal favorite flicks for serveral reasons. First, the story, directing, and cinematography are absolutely enthralling. More interestingly, because of the time and setting of the story, a "gay" identity doesn't really come into play in the storyline. Rather, the story is a story of love (and trust, betrayal, insanity, etc.) in which that love is never named. For those who may have know something about GLBT history, this film is a wonderful example of how "gay" identity is not necessarily transhistorical. If you are interested in the social construction of modern sexual identities, consider also reading parts of Jonathan Ned Katz's book, The Invention of Heterosexuality.

The only downsides to Lillies, in my opinion, are the sometimes so-so acting and the confusing but wonderful way in which the film is cut (in terms of the flashbacks and framestory). In order to appreciate this film, it may be necessary to watch it twice.

Of the dozens upon dozens of films I have seen, this movie has some of the sexiest, most raw and beautiful scenes in it. A must-see if not a must-have.

Rating:
Summary: Awesome.
Review: I've never seen anything so touching and unusual.

That's one of the few films when i actually cried over.

Definitely MUST!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Lilies is a masterpiece...a brilliant piece of art.
Review: I accidentally saw Lilies about five years ago when it was released on VHS in Canada. Me and my friends who had no idea what we were to watch, sat in silence for the two hours of this film with our jaws on the ground. Lilies remains one of my favorite movies, always causing catharsis.

This is a piece of theatre on film which, unlike many movie musicals or plays put on film, transfers beautifully and clearly. The conventions used in this film highten the truth and beauty captured in Bouchard's [stage] script. Though in the first few minutes of the play there may be a few unanswered questions, everything becomes clear--more than clear; poetic.

The acting is this film is beautiful. With a cast of mainly unknown actors, the subject matter is handled sensitively with a delicate touch. The central relationship of Simone and Valier is well defined and very well acted. Brent Carver proves his brilliance repeatedly in all his work, whether it's on stage or on screen.

I am a little tongue tied when I think of this movie becuase I get moved everytime I replay the story in my mind. It is powerful and beautiful. If this review has meant anything, let it mean that this movie could leave you speechless.

Rating:
Summary: Tender and emotional; a surprising work of art!
Review: "Lilies" is actually two stories going on at the same time. One is the story of a prison convict who asks for a priest to hear his confession, only to bewilder the priest with events from their shared past. The other story is one of love and passion, of betrayal and mistrust, of devotion and connection; the list goes on. The visual integrity is a vision beyond that of any love story I've seen to date, making this a very convincing and masterful production.

The film begins with an elderly Bishop making his way to a prison to hear the confession of an inmate. Once in the prison church, it strikes him as odd that a private confession have so many witnesses in the chapel, but once he makes his way to the confession box, it becomes clear that this is no ordinary religious procedure. The convict, Simon, has a plan of revenge for the Bishop, and the chapel is transformed into a stage, the prisoners its actors.

The story is that of Simon's life before prison, from his teenage years to the events that brought him to confinement. Simon is a sexually confused adolescent with whom the waifish Vallier is madly in love. Vallier is thin, pale and very emotional, and becomes severely depressed once Simon decides he must start "liking girls." He goes along to the charms of a French countess, who desperately holds onto him to fulfill her fantasy of love.

But a forced love never lasts, and Simon soon learns this. His willingness to satisfy his father's expectations are a burden to him, as is young Bilodeau, who regards his behavior with Vallier as sick. Simon soon gives in to his heart, realizing that he loves no other than Vallier. So how does the Bishop tie into the story? This I will not reveal. It is easy to guess what part he plays in the overall scheme of things.

But this predictable story twist makes the movie's love story no less affecting. This is a story of a love that could never be torn apart, a love that knew no bounds, one that met its match and won. And on the emotional side, it's quite touching to see scenes involving the two lovers handled in a less-explicit manner than most other films.

The movie makes convincing transitions from the past to the present, and even some crosses between the two. The past is brought to life by the actors of the prison, and certain scenes are staged like a play in the chapel while others are seen in Simon's mind's eye. Director John Greyson brings visual flare to the film, though some will find it difficult to make the transition. But if you're on Greyson's wavelength, then the film takes on a sumptuous and tasteful appeal.

And the cast is a work of art in its own. Young Simon is played by Jason Cadieux, who shares an electric chemistry with Danny Gilmore, playing Vallier. The two are believable as lovers, and equally as moving when they are separated from one another. Older Simon, played by Aubert Pallascio, is hardened by silent rage over his lost love, while the Bishop, played by Marcel Sabourin, is convincing in his fear over the situation. And Matthew Ferguson makes Bilodeau such an annoyance that we know he will come into play later into the film.

"Lilies" is a visually sumptuous treat that many will dismiss, but others will love. There is fire within the romance of Simon and Vallier, one that cannot be matched by many other romances in mainstream films. The present day story is a nice outlet for the memories of a man haunted by his first and only love, and the silent hatred for his enemy.

Rating:
Summary: Gorgeous visual interpretation
Review: This film is a brilliant interpretation of the way memories transform our interactions with the world. The story involves two old friends revisiting tender, painful, and nuanced relationships from their past. The cinematography and directing, however, are what make this film (I'm not sure how it worked on stage, but it's amazing onscreen). The setting in which they are reminiscing morphs into powerfully engaging scenes: prisoners very convincingly become schoolboys, women, and friends; the chapel, prison, and cellblock become vibrant and lush landscapes. While the story, interactions, and dialogue are well worth watching , experiencing the transitions from faded memories into brilliantly engaging emotional life is fascinating. Film is the ideal medium for this work, and the artists involved did an outstanding job with the material.

Rating:
Summary: this film must have cost a fortune to make
Review: compared to low budget quality of most gay oriented movies.. so far.. i have only been able to sit thru the first half hour. i had pulled so much of my hair out waiting for something to happen i had to turn it off.. since i see so many good reviews of it tho.. i will try more of it.. sounds like prison is a big part of it.. i felt like i was in prison trying to sit thru first half hour.. if i ever have insomnia.. i will put this movie in the dvd player..maybe i will wake up for the good parts.

Rating:
Summary: Not that great.
Review: The movie is alright. I was looking for more of a relationship film and this really isn't it. The idea is good but the way it is performed is a little contrived. For a synopsis of how it was performed you can see the other reviews but I will add a little more. To get the priest to remember his childhood the inmates in the prison reinact scenes from his youth. They have props which facilitate the memory of the actual events. The setting changes to the location of their youth but the actors remain the same. This means that the male inmates play the role of the female characters. It is okay but rather distracting. Is this typical of GLBQT movies?

The movie was alright. It is worth seeing but not worth buying. My money was much better spent on "Get Real" (which I liked way more than Trick.) If you are in your teens or mid twenties and looking for a movie about a gay relationship try Get Real. It is fun, and sums up much angst I had in high school. It's real-ness is unlikely but it isn't meant to be. It is the gay version of any typical hetero boy meets girl sort of movie.

Rating:
Summary: Watch Lilies twice
Review: I have just finished watching Lilies..I read all the online reviews first. I have a piece of advice for the people that did not like this movie...Watch it again, I bet you will pick up alot more information the second time around. I very much enjoyed this movie. You really had to pay attention. I had to watch it again to pick up all the things i missed. It is extremely interesting in the way the story is told and the way it is shot.

It really captures the love between these two men. Both with the camera and the actors. The actors are all committed to the fantasy aspect of this film. They are playing a character, playing a character, I highly recommend this film, but watch it twice!