adamshl

For years I'd been hearing about this film as some sort of "failure." Finally I got to see it (in 2021) and was impressed with the score. What I found was a very respectable "off-Broadway," semiclassical creation, making it somewhat conspicuous being in an obviously intended "blockbuster" film. That doesn't depreciate the sharpness, cleverness and uniqueness of the music. It's just that it's in the wrong project and accordingly wrong audience. The nature of the project thus establishes unrealistic expectations, resulting in a skewed understanding. From a less lofty perspective, this score is actually elevating for a popular genre. Kudos for its talented composer's-and-lyricist's creation. --haridam

This is a beautiful film about a beautiful human being, Francis of Assisi. Rarely does the screen offer so rich a biographical experience of a most unselfish, giving, and loving an individual.

Bradford Dillman plays the title role with understanding, humility and restraint. Delores Hart embodies the love and kindness of her humble and inspiring spiritual leader. Stuart Whitman offers a contrasting characterization that enhances the human conflicts characteristic of the religious scenario.

This is far from a run-of-the-mill commercial enterprise; on the contrary, it offers those gifts so many of us cherish and strive for. Kudos for this rich production and the inspired message it offers.

"Lili" might be called a "woman's picture" in that it tells its story from a female's perspective. I rather suspect accordingly girls and women respond more favorably to this tale than do males.

There's no doubt the production itself is rather elegant, the leads are expressive, and its one song tuneful and catchy. However, the theme of the story is ambiguous. There's a strange murkiness to the tale and its characters.

There's also a rather strange raison d'etre: is it about unrequited love, a youth's coming of age, or discovering the joy of living? There's also a question of what genre this falls into: fairy tale, fantasy, musical, or a combination of the three. (As there's only one song and little dance, it's hard to call it a musical.) The fantasy elements are reduced to a few puppets, whose encounters with the girl are the most engaging moments of the enactment.

I got the feeling there was more potential for expression here; alas, the unrequited love theme for me was an unfulfilled manner of clearly treating a theme. The "dream sequence" with the magician and his two love interests seemed out of place and ill-conceived. Mr. Ferrer came across rather weakly; though I tend to think this more a result of the director than actor. Actually the talented cast was well chosen; it seemed the direction that lacked a clear vision, not aided by a somewhat murky, undecisive script.

Otherwise the film on the surface had many virtues: beautiful color, attractive set design, committed cast and a genuine air of sweetness that permeated the presentation. This "Lili" review has a B rating.