IMDb 7.3 1997 HD

Lilies

Lilies

1997
Drama Romance
96 min R Canada
8.1 / 10
7.3 IMDB

1952: Bishop Bilodeau visits a prison to hear the confession of Simon, a boyhood friend jailed for murder 40 years ago. However, once there, Bilodeau finds himself forced…

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director John Greyson
Starring
Brent Carver / Marcel Sabourin / Aubert Pallascio / Jason Cadieux / Matthew Ferguson / Danny Gilmore / Ian D. Clark / Gary Farmer

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

haunting melancholic tragic powerful reflective somber poignant emotional intimate thought provoking affecting raw

Reviews

P
Penelope Croft
May 14, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

"Lilies" presents a deeply affecting drama that uses its unconventional structure to potent effect. The performances are universally strong, particularly in their ability to convey the emotional weight of past events. The film’s tone is one of profound…

M
Marcus Thorne
May 14, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

This is a film that takes its time, and for some viewers, that might be its undoing. "Lilies" unfolds its tragedy through a prison play, a narrative choice that is intriguing but occasionally leads to a deliberate, almost…

I
Isabelle Dubois
May 14, 2026
4.5 / 5
4.5

"Lilies" is a masterclass in subtle storytelling, weaving a tragic tapestry of youth and consequence. The performances are nothing short of extraordinary, imbuing each character with a palpable sense of vulnerability and unspoken pain. The film's direction crafts…

A
Arthur Finch
May 14, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

The narrative conceit of "Lilies", with a prison play acting as a confessional, is an ambitious choice that largely succeeds. The film's strength lies in its atmospheric portrayal of regret and the slow burn of revelation. Performances are…

E
Eleanor Vance
May 14, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

A hauntingly beautiful exploration of memory and guilt, "Lilies" uses its unique theatrical framing to devastating effect. The performances are deeply felt, particularly from the ensemble cast tasked with embodying youthful innocence and later, the weight of experience.…

FAQs

The play staged by the inmates is the very engine of "Lilies'" narrative revelation. It acts as a device for Simon to recount his past and for Bishop Bilodeau to confront his own involvement. This meta theatrical element allows for a visually and emotionally dynamic exploration of repressed memories and the slow, inevitable uncovering of the truth behind Simon's crime.