Lilies of the Field (1963)

Movies are amazing in the fact that they can offer such a wide range of stories. At least they once did. Complicated political thrillers to horror films to slapstick comedy, all can be found on film. One thing that makes for some joyous moments though it when you take an incredibly simple story and fashion it into a memorable movie. Such is the case with this film.Sidney Poitier stars as Homer Smith, a handyman who stops by a remote farm when his car overheats while he's heading west. Run by a group of Eastern European nuns they are glad to oblige once they get past their language differences. Noticing he's equipped with tools to use, their head Mother Maria Marthe asks him if he could help by fixing their roof. He does so and then spends the night, expecting to be paid the next morning.That doesn't happen when it turns out the nuns have no money to offer. Relying on what they grow and a few items like milk and eggs they get directly from the source, they can't afford anything. Mother Maria puts him off for the time being and convinces him to help with a few more items, staying in return for dinner.Payment doesn't arrive the following day as Mother Maria insists that Smith was sent to them by divine intervention in with the intent of helping them build the church they've been working on for some time now. He argues the point, still insisting as delicately as possible that he needs paid. A battle of wills follows in civil fashion between the two.On Sunday morning he goes with the nuns to a nearby eatery where their weekly services are held from the back of a truck with a priest there to provide for the flock. Going into the restaurant he talks to the owner and learns about the hardships the nuns went through to escape and get to this country. By the time they head back he agrees to at least help them clear the foundation area for the chapel.All of this back and forth carries on throughout the film. It's easy to guess up front if the church will be built or not by the end credits. What makes the story interesting is the fleshing out of the characters and the things that happen on the way there. Smith getting to know the nuns and helping them learn English, his teaching them the gospel tune he grew up with "Amen" which they sing with relish and his growing fondness for them all.The movie is a feel good film with plenty of humor to have you laughing and enough emotional stirrings to play at your heart. There is no political undertones on display here, just the story of a group of people coming together to unite for something good. It's rare to see that these days and nice to be able to experience it here again.Some might not think that being a black and white film it would benefit from a blu-ray release but it does offering the cleanest presentation I've seen of the film. What else could we expect from Twilight Time? Extras include an isolated score track with some effects, a commentary track with film historians Lem Dobbs, Julie Kirgo and Nick Redman and the theatrical trailer. Once again Twilight Time limits their releases to just 3,000 copies so if interested pick up yours today.

Homer Smith (Poitier) is driving along a hot desert highway when he realizes that he needs water for his car radiator. He pulls up to a remote convent of German-speaking Catholic nuns. Poor, unsuspecting Homer thinks he'll just get the water and be on his way. But it soon becomes apparent that he's going to be roped into doing work for the Lord.Despite the movie's religious theme, this is not an hour-plus long sermon. This is a charming, humorous, wonderful movie. As usual, Poitier embodies his character with naturalness and ease. Though Homer tries his best to stay independent, arguing and threatening to leave the Catholic group on any number of occasions, he's also charmed by the innocent, and at times childlike, sisters. I loved watching Homer scrap with the hard-nosed Mother Superior in particular, whom he sarcastically calls "Mama". They are both stubborn people, for different reasons. She orders him to go to Mass ("I'm a BAPTIST!", he responds, but he goes!), and her declaration that he will be building their chapel sends him into a hilarious temper tantrum. But the viewer already knows he's in for it… Still, we don't anticipate the wonderful events that unfold around the building of it, and the insights we get into Homer Smith's character.I love the scene where the nuns ask Homer to play the guitar. He picks it up and strums, "Frankie and Johnny were looo-verrs…" The nuns sit looking at him silently, blankly. Homer quickly stops himself, looking as if he were wishing there were a hole he could crawl into.If one were especially philosophical, he or she could see this film and think of a higher theme, where there are times when each of gets into life situations where we fight and feel helpless, but in the end it was all "meant to be", for a higher purpose. But even without trying to get any deeper meaning out of it, Lilies of the Field is just a funny film with well-drawn characters that's worth a watch.

Lilies of the Field is a great movie. Homer Smith (Sidney Poitier) is a traveling handyman who while passing through New Mexico he builds a church for a group of German nuns under the strict Mother Maria (Lilia Skala). Along the way Homer begins to help the nuns learn English and he comes connected to the townspeople. The church is a symbol of hope for the nuns and the townsfolk alike and it's really all about Homer's relationship with the nuns and the townsfolk. The best parts of the film in my opinion are when Homer teaches the nuns English. This movie is just happy and leaves you with a good feeling. While watching you want to forget all the ugly things in life and focus only on the good. Problems in this movie arise of course, like the scene where Homer almost leaves, but those are all resolved. I highly recommend Lilies of the Field. It just leaves you singing "Amen."

Everyone in the film seems to be a fish out of water, and this makes for a compelling mixture of humor and poignancy. The German nuns are not conversant in American culture and require—demand, rather—assistance to procure supplies, travel to mass, and build their chapel. Sidney Poitier's Homer (is the name an "Odyssey" reference?) needs a steady job, though he may not want to admit it. The English lessons he gives the nuns, and the Baptist hymn he teaches them, are the film's highlights, and these both come within the first twenty minutes. The narrative loses momentum as the chapel slowly takes shape, but at a mere 94 minutes it is not too long a movie.