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  • 2008
  • Koch Lorber Films
  • 1 h 25 m
  • 2008
  • Koch Lorber Films
  • 1 h 25 m
Water Lilies

Summary It's summer, and the girls' winning synchronized swimming team is in full swing at the vast municipal swimming pool and social hub in the Paris suburb of Cergy. It's here that Floriane, a shapely blonde with come-hither looks, is a valued performer and star of the social set. Although Marie isn't on the team, is small for her age, and is...

Directed By: Céline Sciamma

Written By: Céline Sciamma

  • 2008
  • Koch Lorber Films
  • 1 h 25 m
  • 2008
  • Koch Lorber Films
  • 1 h 25 m

Water Lilies

Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 12 Critic Reviews
67
User Score Generally Favorable Based on 18 User Ratings
6.9
My Score
Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Where to Watch

Summary It's summer, and the girls' winning synchronized swimming team is in full swing at the vast municipal swimming pool and social hub in the Paris suburb of Cergy. It's here that Floriane, a shapely blonde with come-hither looks, is a valued performer and star of the social set. Although Marie isn't on the team, is small for her age, and is...

Directed By: Céline Sciamma

Written By: Céline Sciamma

Where to Watch

Top Cast

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 12 Critic Reviews
67
83% Positive
10 Reviews
17% Mixed
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 12 Critic Reviews
67
83% Positive
10 Reviews
17% Mixed
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
100
Although a little too open-ended to be wholly satisfying, Water Lilies is still an excellent directorial debut.
By Richard James Havis FULL REVIEW
75
Everything in Water Lilies is more guarded, more complex and far more interesting than it seems.
By Mick LaSalle FULL REVIEW
70
The elegant Water Lilies is not about answers but about discovery of self and of others in all its pain and pleasure.
By Kevin Thomas FULL REVIEW
70
French director Céline Sciamma doesn't quite have the stun of discovery--mortified adolescent sexuality is something of a national specialty, after all--but she inexhaustibly endeavors after the indelible image.
By Nick Pinkerton FULL REVIEW
70
The painfully spot-on essence of teen angst meets the spirit of Esther Williams in Water Lilies. First film by gifted scripter-helmer Celine Sciamma nails the aching doubts and offhanded cruelty of 15- and 16-year-old girls.
By Lisa Nesselson FULL REVIEW
63
Though Water Lilies endlessly teases the audience with its sapphic subtext and young female flesh, Sciamma seems most interested in showing how extremely cruel adolescent girls can be to each other.
By Lou Lumenick FULL REVIEW
50
With no adults to add melodrama, the sweet Water Lilies depends on the emotion in its young performers' faces to move forward.
By Joe Neumaier FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

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User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 18 User Ratings
6.9
67% Positive
12 Ratings
28% Mixed
5 Ratings
6% Negative
1 Rating

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 18 User Ratings
6.9
67% Positive
12 Ratings
28% Mixed
5 Ratings
6% Negative
1 Rating

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

Details

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Production Company Balthazar Productions, Lilies Films, Canal+, La Région Île-de-France, Arte / Cofinova 3, Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée (CNC)
Release Date Apr 4, 2008
Duration 1 h 25 m
Genres
Website http://www.myspace.com/pieuvres
View All Details

Awards

César Awards, France
• 3 Nominations
Torino Film Festival
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
Cannes Film Festival
• 2 Nominations

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