Lily in Love

1984 Hungarian film

1984 (1984)

Running time

90 minutesCountriesHungary
United StatesLanguagesHungarian
English

Lily in Love (alternative English title: Playing for Keeps, Hungarian title: Játszani kell) is a 1984 Hungarian–American co-production in English starring Christopher Plummer, Maggie Smith and Elke Sommer and directed by Károly Makk. The film is the third cinematic adaptation of Ferenc Molnár's play about comedic deception and romance Testőr after The Guardsman (1931) and The Chocolate Soldier (1941).

Plot

Fitz Wynn (Christopher Plummer), a successful and truly talented but overly satisfied stage actor, wants to star in a new movie written by his wife Lily (Maggie Smith). She does not feel her Fitz is right for the part, and explains to him why and what she is looking for in the role. With the help of his old friend and business partner Jerry (Adolph Green), Fitz orchestrates his own transformation into Roberto Terranova, a blonde Italian alter ego who seems to be exactly what Lily wants for the role. During production of the film in Hungary, Fitz becomes alarmed as Lily seems to fall for his portrayal of Roberto.

Production

In 1977 Smith had starred in a triumphant Toronto stage revival of The Chocolate Soldier, the musical adaptation of the original play.^[1] This film was the first screen appearance for Aaron Lustig. According the Smith's biographer, she referred to the film as "the ghoulash" and admitted to not understanding the Hungarian director's direction. She also called her co-star "Christopher Bummer."^[2]

Cast

Christopher Plummer as Fitzroy Wynn / Roberto Terranova
Maggie Smith as Lily Wynn
Elke Sommer as Alicia
Adolph Green as Jerry Silber
Rosetta LeNoire as Rosanna

Reception

The film received positive reviews at the time of its release. In The New York Times, Vincent Canby proclaimed Plummer's performance as "possibly the best thing he's ever done on the screen."^[3] The Los Angeles Times noted the film's faulty make-up effects: "In this post-"Tootsie” era Plummer’s disguise really must be convincing and not the mere superficial theatrical convention that it is. It’s impossible to believe that he could fool anyone, let alone his wife (who is not sure when she’s first on to him). This is a pity, for Plummer has never been better on the screen."^[4]

References

^ Canby, Vincent (1985-04-19). "FILM: 'LILY IN LOVE,' ROMANTIC FARE". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
^ Maggie Smith: A Biography by Michael Coveney, St. Martin's Griffin, 2015, page 180.
^ Canby, Vincent (1985-04-19). "FILM: 'LILY IN LOVE,' ROMANTIC FARE". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
^ Thomas, Kevin (1985-07-05). "MOVIE REVIEW : 'LILY IN LOVE' FOR THE INDULGENT". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2023-01-31.