Review of Water Lilies (2007) by Christine C — 01 Apr 2008

This French film with English subtitles is the story of three adolescent girls and is a coming of age and sexuality tale. The director / writer was careful to construct the story as being told from the standpoint of the main female characters: Marie, Anne and Floriane without adults or parents being involved in the storytelling, giving us adolescence in a bubble and encouraging the audience to find a connection to the main characters and to not fall back on relating to parents or other stereotypical characters in the usual teenage drama.

The three girls are approximately the same age, about 15, but are at different stages developmentally both physically and socially. With the central stage of a synchronized swimming team and the pool, a love triangle plays out among the three teens with surprising twists and turns along the way.

Love, friendship and ultimate betrayal are themes handled without cliché. There is also a timeless feel as the music that the girls listen to has been created for the movie utilizing the pulse-pounding nuance of techno and the clothing they wear could be from anywhere in the last two decades.

Water Lilies is a journey not to be missed!