SYNOPSIS: A dying prisoner's last confession servers as the cover for a plot to take Bishop Bilodeau hostage.  Mastermind Simon has planned a special performance for the cleric: a reenactment of the days when they were schoolboy friends - and when they were both in love with the same handsome boy.

The action moves back and forth seamlessly through time between the crude prison and the actual events of 1912, culminating in the tragic night when both men's fates we decided and their true love was lost forever.

EDITORIAL REVIEW: Winner of four Genie Awards including Best Picture (the Genie Awards is Canada's version of the Oscars®), 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 (like, let's say, Wrecked, for example).

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.  Keep in mind, though, young adults in their late teens portray "adolescents".

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. (reviewed with input from D.Litton)

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* This DVD will play in North America only.  This DVD should play in most players outside of North America as well, but it's not guaranteed. This DVD will play in any computer DVD-Rom.  This is NOT a DVD-R.

STARRING: Jason Cadieux, Danny Gilmore, Matthew Ferguson.
DIRECTOR: John Greyson.
LENGTH: 96 minutes.
LANGUAGE: English, with OPTIONAL FRENCH DUBBING.
SPECIAL FEATURES: 1.33:1 (4:3 Full Screen); 2.0 Stereo; French dubbed; 1 disc; Chapter selection; Trailer; Uncut.
VIEWER DISCRETION: Brief nudity, sensuality, coarse language, violence.
PICTURE QUALITY: Excellent picture quality. (what's this mean?)
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Canada (1996).
ALSO KNOWN AS:  Lilies - Les Feluettes (original title).
DATE ADDED TO OUR LIBRARY:  January 29, 2009.