Fresh
A fascinating exploration of female friendship, love, manipulation, betrayal and healing.
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post
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Water Lilies
Overview
Set during a sultry summer in a French suburb, Marie is desperate to join the local pool's synchronized swimming team, but is her interest solely for the sake of sport or for a chance to get close to Floriane, the bad girl of the team? Sciamma, and the two leads, capture the uncertainty of teenage sexuality with a sympathetic eye in this delicate drama of the angst of coming-of-age.
Director and cast
- Céline Sciamma Director
- Pauline Acquart as Marie
- Louise Blachère as Anne
- Adèle Haenel as Floriane
- Warren Jacquin as François
- Christel Baras as L'inspectrice
- Marie Gili-Pierre as La caissière
- Alice de Lencquesaing as Fille vestiaire
- Claire Pierrat as Fille vestiaire 2
- Barbara Renard as Natacha
- Esther Sironneau as La vendeuse
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
82%
Tomatometer
Rotten
A narrowly interesting story by French writer-director CA (C)line Sciamma about three girls whose lives are connected by synchronized swimming.
Tom Keogh, Seattle Times
Fresh
First-time writer/director Celine Sciamma focuses exclusively, empathetically and insightfully on her protagonists' coming-of-age experiences.
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Rotten
While it never quite reaches Jack T. Ripper levels of absurdity, Water nonetheless drowns out its science with hazy spirituality and utterly preposterous claims. In the end, it all smells fishy.
Andrew Barker, Variety
Rotten
Celine Sciamma's quiet drama has moments of motionless yearning that contrast the intense emotions of its 15-year-old protagonists.
Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News
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