FILM-FORWARD.COMReviews of Recent Independent, Foreign, & Documentary Films in Theaters and DVD/Home Video
Directed by: Ziad Doueiri. Produced by: Marina Gefter. Written by: Ziad Doueiri & Mark F. Lawrence, based on a novel by Chimo. Director of Photography: John Daly. Edited by: Tina Baz. Music by: Nitin Sawhney. Released by: Samuel Goldwyn. Language: French with English subtitles. Country of Origin: France/UK. 89 min. Not Rated. With: Vahina Giocante, Mohammed Khouas, Karim Ben Haddou & Edmonde Franchi.
Lila, a 16-year-old French girl, has recently moved into a mostly Arab
neighborhood, and upon meeting Chimo, tells him he can look up
her skirt. From then on, she blatantly provokes him sexually.
While the 19 year old likes her more and more, he also feels
uncomfortable with her liberal talk about her sexual experiences. The
Marseilles neighborhood talks, and Chimo's best friend Mouloud, aggressive and
insecure, becomes obsessed with Lila - who doesn't give him a second glance
- and jealous of Chimo.
After about 20 minutes, if not less, the outcome can be correctly
guessed. In cases like this, a film
can be saved, and even improved beyond expectations, by the quality of the
acting and the script. In Lila Says, all is up to the actors who
are usually - but not always - up to the challenge. Vahina Giocante (Lila) starts out
unconvincingly, with flat line
readings and expressions. But as the film unfolds, she gets becomes more
alive, and even though her fate is predictable, she manages to be
compelling by the end. The same can be said of Mohammed Khouas
(Chimo), who gives a solid
performance.
It is the supporting characters who make the story a bit
more intriguing than it would first appear to be, like Karim Ben Haddou as Mouloud, a no-good
rascal who nevertheless is subtly portrayed with shades of gray that show emotion and
disappointment behind his violent attitude. Or Lila's aunt (Edmonde Franchi), who people
say is crazy, and, it turns out, is also attracted to Lila, staring up her
niece's skirt and describing the view with exalted, almost religious
adoration. But the lack of mystery prevents the film from advancing beyond its own premise and
promise. Been there, seen that, good as it
generally is. Roxana M. Ramirez
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