Water Lilies

All this newfangled surround sound and audio-visual wizadry is amazing enough, but nothing beats the cinema. Or such is the rule for films like Water Lilies, a throbbing, ferociously atmospheric and emotional film about those tender teenage years. In a dark, dimly-lit auditorium, this movie has the power to grab and almost asphyxiate you with its common considerations and gorgeous cinematography. At home, it can’t quite repeat the trick.

Nevertheless, this remains a classy little film, and something of a must-see, even if its whimsical tone feels more suited to rainy winter days than exotic high summer. The original trailer demonstrates that capably enough – it’s a dreamy procession of moments from the movie, in no real order and with distorted sound.

I was near certain there would be a featurette on synchronised swimming, such is the film’s fascination with the pursuit, but such arrogant predictions turn out to be misplaced. Instead there’s the chance to spend five minutes watching the three girls be cast, or a similar-length single deleted scene. This is as Marie and the sultry Floriane first meet, and it’s a dramatic, weighty scene – one that can count itself very unlucky to have finished in the bin.