Lili

This is one of my all time favorite movies, and I have taken every occasion to see it again after the first time in 1953. Leslie Caron is perfectly cast as the homeless orphan who falls in with a circus troupe and becomes part of their puppet act, only to fall in love with the embittered puppet master. In the end, the lovers get together after Lili (Leslie Caron) gets to display her ballet dancing talents.

In 1953 I was 5 and LILI was my favorite movie. My parents were cool enough to take me to see it 3 (THREE!) times and they even bought me the soundtrack record. I'd try to see it every time it played on TV over the years (not very often) and at college screenings. I taped it when it was on PBS not too long ago and now my granddaughter who's 5 loves it too. Talk about genetics! This is a wonderful, haunting story. Leslie Caron is PERFECT in the title role. The puppets are fabulous and the rest of the cast are brilliant. PLEASE see this if you enjoy "simple" romantic stories with no special effects, nudity, bad language, nor violence! Interestingly I have been married twice, my first husband was a puppeteer and my second (present) husband is a magician. Hmmmm...

This movie is my favorite movie of all time! The innocence and sweetness conveyed by Leslie Caron in this movie is supreme! You'll find no other film like it! Personally, I think it is better than an American in Paris. The reasons why I like it are almost inexplicable, however. I first watched it at age 16. Afterwards I felt like the world was a wonderful thing and that there was still purity in the existence. Leslie Caron's virginal character is so convincing that she doesn't even need to say anything to make the viewer feel that she is truly good. Mel Ferrers performance is also noteworthy. The chemistry between these two characters is real. This movie is often overshadowed by Leslie Caron's more popular films (such as an Gigi). However, I recommend that all movie lovers watch this film.

This is one of my favorite films. It is so delightfully simple. Leslie Caron does a marvelous job of making us believe she is an awkward 16 year old in love with a magician. I can't explain exactly why I love this film--perhaps I'm a sucker for all in-love-with-someone-who's-in-love-with-someone-else stories, or maybe I have a soft spot for puppets. But this film warms me to the heart and I recommend it to all but the heart hearted cynic.

A lovely story that is not trite, and of course Leslie Caron, who I admit I am partial to, is excellent here. As Lili, a disaffected orphan struggling in sadness, to find some kind of life. Mel Ferrer as a mysterious puppeteer who falls in love with her from behind the scenes. The story has a dark, sad quality to it, which is why it stands out. On TCM, as interviewed with Robert Osborne, Caron mentioned that the studio felt this film would "ruin her career". It is a lost gem which is well worth viewing, and also good for children who want to "run away to the circus/ join show business. The theme is very well manifested in this film. Leslie Caron is soulful and sad. Always a wonderful actress to watch, and better in this than some of the bigger budget musicals. Wish she would do more film these days as well. 10/10.

"Lili", based on Paul Gallico's "Love For Seven Dolls", is one of the most delightful films ever. Leslie Caron deserved her Academy Award nomination as "Lili". The ballet sequence at the end of the film in which each puppet turn into Paul, the puppeteer, making Lili realize she loves him is magical. "Lili" was the basis for a big, lavish Broadway musical "Carnival" that lost the basic beautiful simplicity of the original. This film is a classic and deserves to be. The puppets are magnificent.

First of all, to correct a comment made by at least one person here, the movie came before the stage musical "Carnival." Second, the movie is far superior to the stage musical. True, it's short. So? True, there's just one song. But the one song, "Hi-Lili Hi-Lo," is better than anything in "Carnival." So much for comparisons. The movie absolutely defines movie magic. It creates an unforgettable world with an unforgettable heroine played with genius by the great Leslie Caron in a performance nominated for an Oscar and deserving of a win (she was beaten by the charming but less-inspired Audrey Hepburn). Anyone who passes up the chance to see "Lili" is denying themselves one of the prime treats in all of cinema. I've seen it countless times and never fail to laugh and cry. But where is the DVD??? Give, already!

"Lili" is one of the sweetest, most enchanting musicals Hollywood has ever produced. Not that most of the Hollywood musicals are ever realistic, but this particular story is more of a fable than an imitation of life. The character of Mel Ferrer is reminiscent of the Beast in "the Beauty and the Beast", a tortured soul aching for love, and as any girl worth her salt would know, tortured souls make the best kind of heroes! The two dance/fantasy sequences are charming, especially the latter one, where Lili grows from an awkward, love-sick child into a woman of character and determination, all in a few steps of waltz. Oh, and the puppets are totally adorable!!