This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

Water Lilies is a sincere debut from Celine Sciamma. She is one of the most interesting filmmakers to me because she makes great choices on subject matters to deal with, and actually makes an effort to explore areas of humanity that may not be as easily accessible to her (which doesn't seem hard but if you could just see the number of respected filmmakers who just stick to their limited perspectives again and again...). Water Lilies is not an exception to this. It tells the story of Marie and Anne, best friends, one a little too small a frame for synchronized swimming, the other a little bit the opposite. Marie and her storyline takes most of the screen time, and while I loved every bit of it, I also wanted equal screen time and focus with Anne. Marie finds herself getting attracted to Floriane, played by Adèle Haenel who is really magnetic here. Anne is attracted to this boy, but of course body image issues and society make that harder. Her storyline, though too short for my liking, gets an amazing ending. Louise Blachère is great in the role.

I've seen more than a dozen lesbian films. This is the worst one, probably. Or at least the most boring. I can see how it could interest someone who has puberty on their mind or wants perhaps to commiserate with some lameness that happened in their own life. But it's just a basically quiet film, not much is said, reminds me of how boring my teen years were... when I had nothing to say because I knew nothing. Don't waste your time on this if you are at all picky with your movies. I gave it a rating of 1 star, and I haven't given any other film that rating, not even When Night Is Falling, which in some ways is worse. The rating is based on how worth watching it is. If you are looking for fun entertainment, definitely avoid this.

I don't usually write reviews but I felt the need to point out that through out this movie I kept murmuring: "This isn't right", "No!", "Why?", and many things along this line. I'm not trying to imply that this was a bad movie but if you are an American, don't expect this to be something Universal Studios would film. With every next scene I would think: How can they film this? But that may be my American mind. I'll give it a neutral 5 rate, since I'm still unsure how I feel about it.

I cheer for films that fill in subject matter gaps in world cinema. So after watching the trailer for "Water Lilies," I expected to like this film because I thought I'd stumbled on something unique: a movie that honestly portrays teen lesbian love - sort of a female version of "Beautiful Thing." The main characters are young French women 15 years old. Marie is slender, reticent and pretty in a tomboyish way; Floriane is outgoing, athletic and beautiful; and Anne is loyal, pudgy and behaviorally immature. The erotic interrelationship between Marie and Floriane is always simmering in this movie, if not at the surface, then just below it. "Water Lilies," however, is not about the dawning of lesbian love upon two teens; it is about sexual frustration, suffering, ennui, teens working at cross-purposes and - in at least two instances - joyless, mechanical sex. It also proves that screenwriters and film-makers mar their own creations when they become too manipulative.In the extra features on the "Lord of the Flies" DVD, director Peter Brook says, "French cynicism starts with the arousal of sex," meaning the French regard children as angels while they regard adolescents and adults with a pervasive cynicism. Part of the downfall of this film is film-maker Celine Sciamma has gulped a mighty dose of this cynicism."Where is the joy?" I asked myself while watching this film. Yes, first love can be painful and frustrating, but it can also be joyful and triumphantly erotic in a fresh, life-affirming way. These positive aspects are missing from this movie; there is no balance.Organically, this movie wants to be a poignant celebration of first love. But Sciamma is too impressed with her own cynicism and cleverness and ruins the film. First, what is the point of showing only the plump girl nude? I know there is an established tradition of tasteful teen nudity in European cinema, as evidenced by films like "The Slingshot; The Rascals; The Devil, Probably; The Little Thief; Murmur of the Heart; Friends; Beau Pere" and "Europa, Europa"; but this instance is a petty authorial intrusion - "See, audience, I can make a film where I show only the unattractive person nude." Either no nudity or evenly distributed nudity would've been an honest way to go.There is a scene in a club where Floriane and Marie are dancing. What follows next is not just Floriane cynically manipulating Marie; it is film-maker Sciamma cynically manipulating her audience.Perhaps the biggest betrayal of authenticity and organic honesty takes place when Floriane warns Marie she's about to request something that is "not normal." Marie understandably asks, "Who cares about being normal?" Then Sciamma plays false with her audience and the hurtling momentum of the movie, because Floriane's request is a phony, derivative and substitute question - not the authentic, heartfelt question the movie, Marie's character and the viewers who've invested their time deserve. Here are also two moments which clank falsely on the viewer's nerves: 1) Since when do the French - of all people - take baths wearing bathing suits, and with a turtle to boot? 2) What teen - of any nationality - would chomp down on an apple core that's been thrown in the garbage in order to get a taste of the beloved's mouth?The three main actresses are promising and, if they find better vehicles for their talents, may become excellent actors. Louise Blachere (Anne) is the best actress in terms of technique and could have a successful career in supporting roles. Adele Haenel (Floriane) could become a leading lady, or a bombshell, or both. Pauline Acquart (Marie) possesses an intensity and magnetism which are unmistakable. In the future, she could play everything from an emotionally crippled librarian to a mysteriously sensual seductress to a reluctant politician riding a meteoric rise in acclaim.All in all, "Water Lilies" was very disappointing. Will an honest film-maker please make an authentic movie about two young women falling in love! No - not necessarily for the sake of this middle-aged guy - but so young lesbian girls can have something of quality they can watch and identify with. And yes, to fill a subject matter gap in world cinema.