Lilies
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VHS Movie Reviews of Lilies
Movie Review: A well-acted, romantic yet tragic film
Summary: 4 Stars
This movie is a "play within a film" that juxtaposes two time periods, often combining the two. The film begins in Quebec in 1952, where a Bishop has been summoned to a prison to hear an inmate's confession. The chapel is filled with other inmates, and the Bishop goes to the Confessional. While there, the rest of the inmates, plus the Chaplain, lock the Bishop inside the confessional so that he can view the inmates acting out a re-creation of the events that intertwine the Bishop and the convict's lives.We discover that the convict, Simon, knew the Bishop as a young boy in 1912, when they were students at a boy's school. Simon was in love with a fellow student, Valier, but the future Bishop also lusted after the enticing Simon. Simon is punished by his father for loving another boy, and agrees to a sham marriage. But, ultimately, he is drawn back to his true love, Valier. This leads to the conflict, the death of Valier, and Simon being falsely imprisoned for murder of his great love, all due to the bitterness of the Bishop.
This film is highly unusual in that you see the inmates performing the play in the chapel, then you see the same actors sent back in time to 1912, playing the same parts. Then, you will see the Bishop and the older Simon observing the events of 1912. There are no women in this film. Even in the flashbacks, the inmate-actors portray both male and female characters.
This is not an explicit gay film, by any means. Although there is one very tender, passionate scene of the young Simon and Valier kissing intensely, while naked in a bathtub. The majority of the film is about Simon's past, and bringing the truth out to the dupilicitous Bishop. The acting and photography are excellent, and while the story may be a bit difficult to follow at first, you will need to keep in mind that we are seeing the convicts portraying this tale, even when we go back in time.
It is a very romantic, very well-made, and also a very tragic film.
Movie Review: High quality, intelligent movie making and gay too!
Summary: 4 Stars
I own this movie and every once in awhile really enjoy watching it again. It is not your typical gay movie like Trick or The Birdcage. It is more intelligent and well done. The quality is first rate and the movie feels more like a big buget production. The story is is one of a group of prison men who reinact a love story between one of the prisoners and his first love that was ended by a preist in their younger days. The movie is all a flashback to what happened in the past and is done very creatively. It's not a comedy and its not camp. Get ready for a moving and interesting movie. Add it to your collectionMovie Review: Hard to stay awake!
Summary: 2 Stars
With the current situation with priests in the Catholic church this film shows that it has been on on going problem, as early as 1912. It is one of those films you need to view twice in order to fully understand the story line, which is hard to follow the first time viewed. This film is more for the art film crowd, and is not your typical gay love story theme (as is Broken Hearts Club).Movie Review: A great love story
Summary: 5 Stars
An evocative, beautifully shot, and well acted love story. The movie opens in a prison, where a bishop has been invited to hear a convict's confession. Once on prison grounds, the bishop is confronted by that same convict, Simon, for whom he has lusted unrequittedly when they were childhood friends. What follows is the retelling of a tragic love triangle and the devastating events which led up to the imprisonment of Simon, the death of Vallier, his lover, and the bishop culpable role in them.Unlike many other movies with a gay theme, this one is very well acted. Young Simon, played by Jason Cadieux, has dark hair, dark eyes, and is drop dead gorgeous. It is easy to see why he is the object of every man's lust. But the one who really caught my attention was Vallier, played by Danny Gilmore. Though pale and a little thin, he is ethereally beautiful. What's more, Gilmore and Cadieux has such an erotically charged chemistry that is not often seen in any cinema. Although not as sexually explicit as some others, the bathtub scene is as sensual as any I've seen.
This is a wonderful movie, one of my favorites. The only down side is that it has such a sad story line.
Movie Review: Brought me to a higher level of understanding
Summary: 4 Stars
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!