What I liked
White Lilies is a tense, expertly-crafted tale of the things that drive a wedge between family. Two brothers drift through difficult topics, like how to raise children, actions taken on behalf of their mother, and the nature of reality. Questions of love, control, and boundaries arise in this thrilling one-act.
The illusion that is central to Shawn’s story is wonderful. My jaw dropped and I literally gasped! The twist at the end is really well-done, too.
I want to watch it again. I feel like I missed a lot!
What I didn't like
If the (incredible) illusion had ended a few seconds earlier, I wouldn’t have noticed how they pulled it off. (To be fair, I knew what to look for.) Towards the middle, the conversation gets a little circular. Also, the appeal to the audience at the end may not be the move at a festival where we’ve all been conditioned by clown shows, unless audience participation is expected.
My overall impression
A taut drama with impressive stagecraft and beautiful, grounded performances between incredible actors!
