Lilies of the Field Movie Review (1963)

"Lilies of the Field was created in 1963, and was directed by Ralph Nelson. The main characters are Sidney Poitier as Homer Smith, Lilia Skala as Mother Maria, Isa Crino as Sister Agnes, Lisa Mann as Sister Gertrude, Francesca Jarvis as Sister Albertine, Pamela Branch as Sister Elizabeth, and Dan Frazer as Juan.

Lilies of the Field begins with Homer Smith, an unemployed construction worker,  driving his car down a dirt road, and the car overheats, and begins to emit steam from the engine, and Homer finds a house of German Catholic Sisters, and asks if he can have some water because he said "My car is thirsty." The Sisters agree and give him water for his car. The Sisters are leaded by the Mother Superior, Mother Maria. Mother Maria wants Homer to stay with the Sisters because she believes that God sent Homer to build them a Chapel that they can worship inside the chapel, instead of outside next to Juan's Diner. Mother Maria convinces Homer to work for the sisters as their contractor. Homer gives the Sisters English lessons, since they do not fully understand English. Mother Maria has the attitude that God sent the Sisters Homer, as a tool to build their Chapel. Homer is upset that the Sisters do not pay him for his work, but they are always able to convince Homer to work for them. Homer contemplates leaving them because they don't pay him for working, but Homer develops a personal interest in building the chapel, and is able to persuade members of the community to help build the chapel.

I enjoyed this film because it has a well written storyline and is one of the best movies that I have seen in a while. The director, Ralph Nelson used several elements of film, including camera angles, music, and lighting. Even though the film was created in 1963, it still can be considered a well directed movie. The song that gets stuck in your head, is a song that Homer teaches the Sisters. The song is called "Hallelujah" and Homer has the Sisters sing this song throughout the film.

I would recommend this film to anyone that likes films with a faith based storyline, because throughout the film, faith plays an important factor in the film. Lilies of the Field is a film that will be continued to be appreciated for many years to come. In my three categories in how I rate a film, starting with the first category, which is overall rating, I'd give the film a 9. In the second category, which is plot rating, is the rating I give the storyline it would receive a 9. In the third and final category, which is character roles, is how well I believe the characters portrayed in the film, played their role, would receive a 9.5. Overall this film in my opinion was very well written, and directed, and is a film that I will watch again in the future.