DailyView: Day 258, Movie 363

When I was looking for a movie to watch to honor Sidney Poitier after his passing away, I wound up watching To Sir, with Love II. This was the film I should have watched.

Lilies of the Fields, in which Sidney Poitier won an Oscar (the first African American to win an Academy Award), is such a charming, funny, engaging film and I was not expecting it to so entertaining. I laughed more in this than I did in Dirty Work yesterday.

Homer Smith (Sidney Poitier) was heading out West when he stopped at a farm for some water for his overheating car. The farm was run by a group of East European Catholic nuns, led by the strict Mother Maria (Lilia Skala) and they believed that he was sent by God to help them build a chapel.

The clash of personalities between Poitier and Skala is one of the best parts of the film. Both are stubborn and they work tremendously well together.

The score of the movie was outstanding too. I loved the soundtrack to so many of the moments of the scenes. There is a great scene where Poitier and the nuns sing “Amen” and it was completely wonderful.

The film is shot in black and white and it really fits with the feel of the film.

I enjoyed this way more than I ever expected that I would. I can see why Sidney Poitier received an Oscar for his work. I watched this with a smile on my face the entire time. It was great.