Looking Through Lillian

Running time: 84 mins

Director Jake Torem reminds us that there's no such thing as perfection in a sharp story centered on Lily (Jade Henham, who also co-wrote), an imperfect person who has imperfect relationships with other imperfect people. Foremost in her life are her "keeper," Gene, an aging (and married) businessman with a Marilyn Monroe fetish, and her grounded roommate, Andrea, who serves as the voice of reason whispering into Lily's ear. As such, Lily is content in her routine, if not happy. That's when she meets Luke, a mysterious, smooth-talking writer, who opens her eyes to the world, prompting her to take a long look at the life she's chosen for herself. A more poignant and realistic love story for those of us who didn't "buy into" Sleepless in Seattle, Torem's absorbing debut, Looking Through Lillian, shows us that there's more than one path to Happily Ever After. Reviewed by Sam Freund