Looking Through Lillian

A lot of people look toward the 20 something generation and still aren't sure what to make of us. This movie shows you that anyone can be screwed up and that we all have our share of dark little secrets. The story gives a perverse look into the lives of three people that are very much like anyone you know.

First there's Lillian, and it's cool cause through out the movie that's just what we're all doing - looking at her from all directions (Looking Through Lillian). The actress reminded me a little of Jane March - exotic and aloof - and by the end of the film, even though you still don't quite know who she is, she tears your heart out.

Then there's Luke, who's portrayed as this sort of smug, sarcastic writer. I could really relate to some of the things he said and there's this great scene where he throws Lillian for a genuine loop and I was like "I should try that some time" (you'll know what I mean when you see the movie).

Last but not least, there's Gene (who I'm happy to say is not part of my twenty something generation), who has this twisted creepy little secret. At first, you're like "No Way", but I honestly have to say he pulls it off pretty scarily.

It's a trip to watch where this movie lands and since Trainspotting came out, I've been waiting for someone in America to pull off something new and do it with some style. Jake Torem is a filmmaker who does just that.

P.T.A. look out...

This film is intense. It has a totally cool European sense of style and flair. The music kicks ass and there's a PAYOFF, the likes of which I've never seen before -- Give you a clue: There's this one scene in the movie that is so completely bizarre and f*cked up that at first, and I wasn't the only one, you find yourself chuckling out of sheer nervousness and then it just keeps on going, relentlessly - and you're like "Whoa!" The filmmaker puts Lillian - who is one fine looking, classy, grunge kind of f*cked up chick - in the "driver's" seat throughout. And she's good at it. Some of the material is really uncomfortable to watch. And Sam Bottoms, who I usually don't like - not only goes out on a limb - but " Boldly " goes as far as I've ever seen an actor go physically. I have just one conclusion: This material is so utterly personal and emotional that it's either REAL - and I mean based somewhere in reality - or these guys are GOOD.

Either way, they sure are original. And they got my vote - WAY UP!

I was fascinated with this film. And I was glad to see Essence Atkins in a drama and a feature no less. Although she seemed a little uncomfortable in the genre, I believe it's a good beginning. I was even more pleased with discovering something new, the actress that plays Lillian played by Jade Henham. There was such a naturalness to her being and performance that she completely ensconced me from beginning to end. I also enjoyed the relationship between Andrea (Atkins) and Lilly (Henham) - their portrayal of best friends that share everything was so authentic and not "Hollywoodish" at all.

The most fascinating part of the whole film though is the relationship between Gene (Sam Bottoms) and Lilly. If for nothing else, the film is worth just that in itself. The dynamics of the relationship and the psychological 'scoreboard' between the two was totally encompassing. If I have any gripe with the movie, it's that I would have liked to have seen more of what went on in that bedroom and just more of Gene and Lilly, period. Their bond, or whatever it is, is just so complicated and unorthodox that I wanted to wash the boyfriend out of the film so that I could concentrate on picking apart and studying the two of them. My only thought is that the mind is always better when left to the imagination and perhaps that what's the filmmaker was thinking by limiting how much he allowed us to see. Perhaps I wouldn't have been as intrigued if I'd seen "everything." But any way you look at it, I still came home wanting more of Gene and Lilly. Then again, if you come home wanting more of something then you obviously just saw something that was pretty damn good. And I'd have to say that "Looking Through Lillian" was that - pretty damn good. It is a bunch of unknowns and first time out of the gate talent, so after seeing what they accomplished on the first try, I will be keenly watching to see where they all go when they've blossomed and become seasoned.

Why... that's my only question, why this horrible soundtrack of a garage band with no talent , this cast ( i'm sure in some scenes reading off cards ).... why all the clichees ever seen are all in this flick ALL of them, can you one second fall for any of these caracters or actually believe in this cheezy romance. Plain horrible .. stay very very far from this movie please I beg you. There's so much excellent indie film out there. why

Forget about the fairy tales, this is the way it really is. Pretty girls who get the prince find themselves trapped in twisted castles. Lillian is a kept woman and has it all - stunning looks, great body, expensive clothes, she even drives a Porsche. But wait til you find out what she has to do to keep it! Jade Henham could have just stood there and let the camera photograph her, but no. Henham can actually act. She gives us another side of Lillian - the scared, vulnerable little girl who's falling apart at the seams. Sam Bottoms is worthwhile in a skirt. His full frontal nudity scene is worth my $9. The movie is slow in spots and the rest of the cast is weak, though Luke is not bad on the eyes. But the end is worth the wait. Who is this Jake Torem and what else has he done? Man does this guy have the guts to give it to you raw!