Lilies of the Field
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Movie Reviews of Lilies of the Field
Movie Review: Lilies of the Field - A Classic
Summary: 5 Stars
Most of the other reviews have already stated what is well known to anyone who has ever seen this movie. It is an absolute joy to watch, and seeing it is always an uplifting experience. Some of the so-called professional movie reviewers suggest that Lilies of the Field is simplistic - but it most certainly is not. It has a raft of themes relating to conviction, determination, belief, community and, above all, having a higher sense of purpose in life. It is beautifully filmed in black and white and, of course, features outstanding performances from Sidney Poitier, Lilia Skala and Stanley Adams. Movies like this, made on a very small budget, make you realize the incredible void in talent and imagination that currently exists in the modern movie industry - talent seems to have given way to special effects and high tech gimmicks. The other feature of Lilies of the Field is that it is a positive movie that doesn't indulge in the negativity of the current plethora of big budget movies that are around. If you haven't seen Lilies of the Field before, it is a must-see movie.Movie Review: Poitier made history and appeared in one dandy film, too!
Summary: 5 Stars
The film that made Sidney Poitier the first African-American MALE to win an acting Oscar is one of the best character-driven movies of all time. Poitier is magnificent as an itinerent handyman that becomes the "savior" to a quintet of nuns that are attempting to build a chapel in the American southwest.
Poitier was not the only one deserving of an Oscar for this film, though. In every scene in which she appears, veteran actress Lila Skala is a delight, balancing her stern demeanor with a hidden fondness for Poiter's "Homer Smith". Character actor Stanley Adams deserved a supporting actor nod for his brilliance as a Hispanic cafe owner that delivers one of the film's best lines.
And the remarkable score from a young Jerry Goldsmith is a treat for the ears. Goldsmith effectively interpolates Jester Hairston's classic gospel tune "Amen" throughout the film in some intriguing ways.
The combination of great performances, outstanding cinematography, and an outstanding score make this "field of lilies" bloom to the highest.
Movie Review: Divine Persuasion
Summary: 5 Stars
In 1962 Sidney Poitier won the Academy Award for Best Actor for director Ralph Nelson's LILIES OF THE FIELD. Poitier played the handyman stranger, Homer Smith, who helps build a chapel for German-speaking nuns in the American southwest. Poitier played a man of dignity and purpose that is pitted in a friendly but feisty test of wills between him and Mother Maria, leader of the nuns, played by Lilia Skala. This is a wonderful film that explores the idea that one should never underestimate the divine tools that we are given and that sharing those tools can be both rewarding and gratifying. Jerry Goldsmith composed a moving and uplifting score combining both idioms of Americana and Gospel. Sidney Poitier is perfect as Homer Smith. After feasting on a single fried egg from the nuns each morning Poitier's description of the breakfast he orders from Stanley Adams in the diner is a gastronomic mouthwatering delight. It's one of the best and most amusing scenes in the movie and demonstrates Poitier's versatile appeal.Movie Review: He was an answer to their prayer...
Summary: 5 Stars
Sidney Poitier plays Homer Smith, a construction working looking for work, in this endearing film. He stops to water his overheated car at a nun operated small farm. Unbeknownst to him, the mother superior(Lilia Skala) sees in him an answer to her prayer in the building of a much needed church. Helping them out of with various odd jobs, he discovers this out. He is at first unwilling to even get involved..all he wants is to get payed for the odd jobs and move on to better paying work. With few materials and fewer means to pay, this project appears impossible. Unwittingly he becomes their contractor and later realizes that this project can be accomplished. This simple film carries the message that faith and prayer really can move mountians.
This Oscar winning performance by Sidney Poitier is well worth adding to any movie collection. The closing scene, as he and the nuns sing 'Amen' for the last time, remains a nice movie memory.
Movie Review: A Charming, Touching Movie
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of my favorite films of all time, and I think the whole cast does a wonderful job of carrying the movie. It is the story of a group of German speaking nuns who need a miracle in order to build a church in a poor, desert town. The miracle comes in the form of an itinerant jack of all trades played by Poitier, whose faith is a little shabby around the edges. There is a lot of humor as the Mother Superior resorts to a little manipulation in order to see the church completed. Both Scala's character and Poitier's learn that they both needed to rely more on faith, and less on their own power. This is a movie for the whole family I think. It does deal with some issues on prejudice, and Poitier's character gets drunk at one point, but the Mother Superior sees that he does not enjoy the latter experience much. As for the way it dealt with prejudice, I thought it was well done for the time.