Lili [VHS]

Lili [VHS]
by Charles Walters

Lili [VHS]

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Product details

Actor: Jean-Pierre Aumont, Kurt Kasznar, Leslie Caron, Mel Ferrer, Zsa Zsa Gabor
Director: Charles Walters
Cinematographer: Robert H. Planck
Editor: Ferris Webster
Producer: Edwin H. Knopf
Writer: Helen Deutsch
Writer: Paul Gallico
Edition: VHS Tape
Audio: English (Unknown)
Format: Color, NTSC
Running Time: 81 minutes
Release Date: 1994-12-21
Audience Rating: G (General Audience)
Publisher: MGM (Warner)
Studio: MGM (Warner)

VHS Movie Reviews of Lili [VHS]

Movie Review: the perfect use of the Emotionally Distant Paramour as Hot Stuff
Summary: 5 Stars

The emotionally distant beau who silently seethes for you is a big moneymaker. Look at the success of Robert Pattinson in Twilight. But it's complete b.s. because if someone acted like that in real life, you'd be sending them away with your silently seething ill wishes. But oh, oh, oh, Mel Ferrer and his perfectly displayed physique allegedly "hates [his] body" because fighting off the Germans in WWI gave him a limp. Charming French Jew Jean Pierre Aumont dazzles original recipe elf Leslie Caron playing a 16! year old but Catalonian Mel is watching from the wings, giving her money (excellent) by way of employment (much better) and regular doses of attention. This is really THE Mel Ferrer movie. In one of his last public appearances, I saw him on tv and he hadn't changed at all! He just looked older with gray hair but the silhouette was STILL there. Incredible. Laudable.

Movie Review: a charming, exquisite classic with a truthful look at coming of age
Summary: 5 Stars

Lili is a superb motion picture that focuses on a young woman's coming of age; this is remarkable in that so many coming of age films highlight a young lad's entering adulthood. Indeed, the film is notable in more ways than just that: the acting and choreography for the dance scenes are impeccable; and the musical score was very well written with a theme song that is easy on the ear. In addition, the casting was very well done and the script was well written. Unfortunately, however, this outstanding film badly needs a restoration. For example, unless there's a close-up of an actor all too often their faces are slightly fuzzy and that's a shame.

When the story starts in France, we meet young Lili Daurier (Leslie Caron) whose father has just died; she has come to another town but the family friend she was to stay with and work for has died as well! A neighboring merchant is interested in hiring Lili--but he also wants his way with her which is very much against her wishes! Fortunately, Lili is rescued by the handsome carnival magician Paul Berthalet (Mel Ferrer) and it isn't long before she follows Paul and his friends to their traveling carnival where she gets a job as a waitress. It also isn't long before young Lili becomes infatuated with Paul and she's not exactly happy to see Paul has a beautiful female assistant, Rosalie (Zsa Zsa Gabor).

Lili's job as a waitress doesn't work out; and just when Lili is about to kill herself by jumping off a tall ladder used in a carnival act she is rescued again, this time by the puppets used by the person Lili calls "the angry man," Marc (Jean-Pierre Aumont). Marc, a young famous dancer with so much potential, injured his leg in World War Two and he is extremely bitter; he became a puppeteer after the war. In addition, Marc can only express his loving and gentler side through his puppets and the young, na?ve Lili talks with them as if they were human beings while Marc hides behind the curtain, making the puppets move and giving them their voices. Adult passers-by love it and Lili then gets her second job with the carnival--she is to work with Marc and his puppeteer assistant Jacquot (Kurt Kasznar) in a new puppet act for adults.

As if all this weren't enough, the movie also shows how Lili learns about life and its sometimes harsh realities; Leslie Caron does a great job of portraying Lili as she learns important lessons about life while she moves from adolescence to adulthood. Lili learns much through her relationships with Marc, Paul, Rosalie and others.

Of course the plot can go in many different directions. Lili wants Paul to be her boyfriend but he is in a relationship with Rosalie; and poor Marc cannot seem to tell Lili directly that he is growing fonder of her every day. And what happens when Lili is noticed working so well with Marc and Jacquot in the carnival--they get a big job offer but will they take it or refuse it--and why? And just how does Lili come of age? No plot spoilers here--watch and find out!

Lili charmed me with its beautiful ballet scenes and the coming of age story is skillfully and memorably told. I highly recommend this film for fans of the actors in it as well as anyone who likes coming of age stories. People who enjoy films with sophisticated dance sequences will not be disappointed.

Movie Review: Timeless magic for DVD, please
Summary: 5 Stars

On a superficial level, I can see why the DVD people have so far omitted this one BUT they've made a big mistake. Yes, the film 'Lili' is dated in some respects, including the unflattering (to 21st century eyes) 50s dress that Leslie Caron wears for the dance sequence at the end. But if this film is to be allowe to die into obscurity, we all miss out on a unique and magical evocation of the timeless world of circus and puppets and the lovely Leslie Caron at her best as an actress and dancer. If celebrity interest is required, could the screen romance between Caron's orphaned ingenue and the grumpy puppeteer, played by Mel Ferrer, prefigure the real life marriage between Mel Ferrer and the gamine actress and dancer, Audrey Hepburn? Add to this mix the haunting number 'High Lili, high low' and you have, as they say, something for all the family. DVD makers PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

Movie Review: A star is born
Summary: 5 Stars

Leslie Caron, the French actress and ballet star, shines in her Oscar nominated (Best Actress) role as Lili, the innocent orphan girl. This Coming-of-Age, Hollywood musical film was produced in the famed Studio Era. The film is famous for the puppet show scenes, and Carons graceful dance steps. A reminder of why we love the movies. Recommended for the whole family.

Movie Review: fast shipping for vintage movie
Summary: 4 Stars

not a lot to say. I ordered it. it came quickly. I watched it!

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Summary of Lili [VHS]

The wonderful Leslie Caron stars in this Oscar-winning musical fable with a touch of the bizarre. Caron plays Lili, a recently orphaned waif hopelessly in love with a carnival magician. Mel Ferrer plays Paul, a gruff puppeteer who can express his softer side only through his puppets. Sound weird? It is. Caron's performance is lovely. She is, as always, a graceful dancer, but she is also able to pull off the much more difficult task of making Lili pure and innocent without being icky--she talks to Paul's puppets with complete conviction. (The puppets, by the way, are incredibly creepy.) Younger viewers will take Lili at face value, but adults may well get sucked into its unintentional dark side: homelessness, suicide, emotional repression, and giant dancing puppets all come into play. Also enjoyable is Zsa Zsa Gabor, who does a great job standing around looking pretty as the magician's assistant. --Ali Davis

Romance Video

Genres > Drama > Love & Romance
Musicals & Performing Arts > Musicals > Classics

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