Liliom (1934 film)

Liliom is a 1934 American fantasy drama film directed by Fritz Lang and starring Charles Boyer and Madeleine Oseray. It is based on the 1909 Hungarian play of the same name by Ferenc Molnár.

The film tells the story of Liliom, a carousel barker with a volatile temper and a disdain for authority. He falls in love with Julie, a young servant girl, and they live together in poverty. When Julie becomes pregnant, Liliom, desperate to provide for his family, participates in a robbery that goes wrong. He dies after stabbing himself to avoid capture.

In the afterlife, Liliom is given a chance to return to Earth for one day to do a good deed. He visits his now-teenage daughter, Louise, but his violent nature resurfaces, and he ends up slapping her. However, the slap feels like a kiss to Louise, leaving her with a confused but ultimately positive feeling. Liliom then returns to the afterlife.

The film deviates from Molnár's play in significant ways, particularly in its ending, which is more optimistic than the play's conclusion. While the play depicts Liliom's act as purely negative, the film hints at a more complex and potentially beneficial impact on his daughter.

The film was not a commercial success upon its initial release and received mixed reviews. Some critics praised Lang's direction and the performances, while others found the film to be too sentimental or melodramatic. However, Liliom has gained a cult following over the years and is now considered to be a significant work in Lang's filmography, known for its visual style and its exploration of themes of love, redemption, and social class.