Lilies [VHS] [1997]

The inmates of the prison begin to re-enact the events that took place in a Canadian town forty years earlier. Young Simon, Bilodeau and a third boy, Vallier, all attend the local Catholic school. Simon and Vallier are in love, and being watched by the resentful Bilodau. Then, in what transpires to be a turning point for everyone, the town is suddenly host to a glamorous Parisian woman, who arrives in a hot air balloon.

When Simon realises just how much his relationship with Vallier will not be tolerated, he begins to be drawn to the Parisian guest not only as a way of quashing any further rumours about Vallier, but also as a means of escape from the town entirely.

Watching events unfold are Vallier's quirky mother and the jealous Bilodeau. Each knows how they want things to end, and eventually both try to influence the key players and help bring the tale to its equally heart-warming, and heartbreaking conclusion.

This is quite simply a wonderful film. The setting is beautiful and always slightly dreamy. The surroundings of the bishop and Simon as they watch the play continuously change and melt between a gorgeous Canadian autumn, and the stark but still poignant grey of the prison walls. To add to the slightly surreal feel of things, all the parts are played by men, the male inmates of the prison. Whilst this does make you blink when you realise Vallier's mother is a man, it doesn't detract or cheapen in any way the film. The women are believable and compelling to watch throughout.

The love story is the heart of the film. You feel for both Vallier and Simon as they try to keep up with what's happening around them. Though not sexually explicit (this is after all rated 15), the intensity of their feelings for each other cannot but captivate you. From the opening scene where they almost share a kiss, to one of their final scenes where they're surrounded by golden leaves, you are rooting for them to finally win some peace and tolerance. This film really is one not to be missed.

Based on a play, Lilies retains a stage feeling as the premise is a play-within-a-play. Whereas the audience is not required to use it's imagination as much while watching the film as it was when watching the play, the film does require an open mind and the ability to suspend disbelief. If you allow it, Lilies will take you on a very special ride as seldom films do or can.

The chemistry between Jason Cadieux (a much under-used young actor) and Danny Gilmore (mainly known from French-Canadian television) is remarkable, making their tragic love-story all the more moving. Special mention needs to be made to Tony Award-winner, Brent Carver, who's portrayal of the delusional Countess De Tilly is the stuff that Oscars should be made of.

A stunning piece of film-making, which should not be missed!