This lushly filmed story of a young girl's summer of love, sadness and disillusionment, is a pleasure to watch, if only for the visuals. Filmed by world renowned photographer David Hamilton, up until the recent bluray restoration, "Bilitis" could only be seen in that awful, grainy, muddy and cropped VHS version. Finally the physical beauty of the actors, as well as the sets and the brilliant color palette can finally be appreciated. The story is a rather simple one, or rather it will appear simple to those who do not remember what it is like to be a child on the verge of growing up, where the slightest eye contact or smile or kiss can feel like the beginning or the end of the world. . The character Bilitis certainly isn't "bored" with the events that take place during her summer holiday in the South of France, where she is staying with her beautiful aunt Melissa and Pierre, Melissa's handsome brute of a husband. When Bilitis witnesses the cold brutality of their relationship, she sets out on a match making campaign, promising her aunt that she will find her the "perfect lover" while her philandering husband leaves for Monte Carlo, with his secret "other woman" by his side. Of course things do not go as planned, and the man her aunt chooses as a companion turns out to be the man that Bilitis herself loves deeply. Yes, it is that simple; the study of a young person's broken heart when the two people she loves betray her... by turning to each other.
David Hamilton's obsession was young girls, (he discovered Emmanuelle Beart at age 15), and his erotically tinged, but undeniably artistic photos even got him into legal trouble at one point in his career. So the world of Bilitis is certainly a world he understands. Actress Patti D'Arbanville had the difficult job of portraying a 15 year old girl, and at age 26, she almost pulls it off convincingly. But the suspension of disbelief falters at times, when it becomes obvious that D'Arbanville is older than her character. This was one of a handful of erotic, coming of age dramas that Hamilton filmed during this time, and while "Bilitis" seems to have a slightly higher budget than the others, they are all similar in quality. His "Laura" is my personal favorite. Years ago, these films were commonly searched out by teen boys when they were shown on late night cable television. This was all before every home had an internet connection, and hardcore pornography could be accessed by a press of a button. I was one of those curious young people who watched these movies, hoping for some great sexual revelations. I will always believe that to be a much healthier introduction to sexuality, than the vile, ugly and dehumanizing porn that young people are exposed to now. These films are a nice documentation of a more innocent time. And I can't think of any movie made recently, that even comes close to possessing the pure, aesthetic beauty of "Bilitis." I recommend this, and other films of it's kind for those interested in both film-making and photography.
