Film

What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases

Get 2 for 1 cinema tickets with Orange Click Here

Search cinema listings

Browse cinemas A-Z

Search 20,000 reviews

 

Water Lilies (2007)

Director: Céline Sciamma

4

Time Out rating

Average user rating
8 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

Languid, sorrowful and strange, French filmmaker Céline Sciamma’s debut as a feature writer-director is a sensitive and daring portrait of female adolescence that’s curious about all longings, sexual confusions and grey areas of desire. The Parisian suburbs and, especially, the guys and gals of a local synchronised-swimming club offer Sciamma a distinct canvas on which to plant Marie (Pauline Acquart), Anne (Louise Blachère) and Floriane (Adele Haenel), three 15-year-olds at once different and the same.

Anne is large, awkward, desperate to sleep with a boy, but childish; Floriane is good-looking, flirtatious, confident, with a reputation for putting it about; Marie is quiet and watchful, small and pretty, the hardest to make judgements about. Each is trying to find some resolution and comfort in their feelings. It’s Marie with whom we travel, our guide from poolside (such beautiful underwater sequences) to club to bedroom.

Marie grows apart from Anne when she encounters Floriane at the local pool and willingly follows her around. Is Marie’s gaze one of fascination at Floriane’s maturity? Or is Anne simply falling in love?

Author: Dave Calhoun 2008-03-11 11:03:33

Time Out London 1960 March 12 - 18


  • Print this page
  • Send to a friend
Get 2 for 1 cinema tickets with Orange Click Here

User reviews of this film

  • Jules said...
    Posted on Jan 03 2009 11:05 Doesn't quite work. A film that has the pain of exploitation as a sub-theme, as Marie is led on by Floriane, itself exploits the actors in a borderline pornographic fashion. If I could have empathised with anyone it might have got me emotionally, but the characters are paper-thin. It's a short film (84 minutes); an extra 15 minutes spent on character development might have paid off.
    Report as inappropriate
  • chris said...
    Posted on Apr 23 2008 14:34 A wonderful film - I was astonished to discover this is Sciamma's directorial debut. The subject matter is portrayed with a subtlety and originality rarely seen in English or American teen films. The actors are all superb, but I found Pauline Acquart's performance particularly poignant and genuinely moving. I loved the syth-based soundtrack too - it perfectly compliments the film's distinctively simple visual backdrop.
    Report as inappropriate
  • Tanya said...
    Posted on Mar 14 2008 11:17 I loved this film!
    Report as inappropriate
  • Jude said...
    Posted on Mar 14 2008 10:08 A beautiful, funny and brilliantly acted film. I highly recommend it.
    Report as inappropriate
  • Alicia said...
    Posted on Mar 14 2008 09:43 Very moving and beautifully crafted film.
    Report as inappropriate
  • stuart said...
    Posted on Mar 13 2008 11:41 The comment you type in this box
    Report as inappropriate
  • iiMK said...
    Posted on Mar 12 2008 13:24 Funny, sorrowful and inspiring. A relaxed and natural performance. Well done!
    Report as inappropriate
  • xxx said...
    Posted on Dec 18 2007 20:19 A stunning film, both very funny and moving.
    Report as inappropriate
8 comments

What do you think?
Post your review now

clear rating
Min 1 star. Zero stars will be treated as unrated.

*mandatory fields


Get 2 for 1 cinema tickets with Orange Click Here

Cast & crew

Director: Céline Sciamma

Cast: Pauline Acquart, Adèle Haenel, Louise Blachere

Rated: 15

Duration: 84 mins

UK Release: Mar 14 2008
US Release: Aug 15 2007

Related articles




Top Stories

Has Michael Mann lost it?

Has Michael Mann lost it?

Adam Lee Davies mourns the passing of a major Hollywood talent as Michael Mann's 'Public Enemies' sees the great director running on empty

Why 'Ice Age 3' is really for adults

Why 'Ice Age 3' is really for adults

Tom Huddleston takes a look at a selection of films which bring adult problems to a pre-teen audience

Is this Summer 2009's best film?

Is this Summer 2009's best film?

The French filmmaker Claire Denis speaks to Dave Calhoun about her new film, '35 Shots of Rum', a tender portrait of a father-daughter relationship in Paris

The Informant: trailer preview

The Informant: trailer preview

Steven Soderbergh is at it again, this time with a screwball corporate caper starring Matt Damon called 'The Informant'. View the trailer here...

Rudo y Cursi: interview

Rudo y Cursi: interview

Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna talk to Time Out about their highly entertaining new comedy, 'Rudo y Cursi'

An open letter to Peter Morgan

An open letter to Peter Morgan

Tom Huddleston penned an open letter to Peter Morgan offering some friendly dos and don'ts for the new Bond movie

Outdoor film screenings in London 2009

Outdoor film screenings in London 2009

Derek Adams offers a guide to the best places to see films outside in London this summer

50 essential sci-fi films

50 essential sci-fi films

With 'Star Trek' making serious waves, we thought it would be a perfect time to select 50 must-see sci-fi films






The City made easy in association with Sony Ericsson W715