Lilith (1964) - Rossen

Plot: Set in a Rich Sanitarium,  an occupation therapist becomes obsessed with a beautiful mental patient called Lilith**.  
Stars:  Warren Beatty, Jean Seberg, Kim Hunter, Peter Fonda, Gene Hackman
Best Quote:  If I Die, it will be Warren Beatty who Killed me - Robert Rossen

Movies about crazy people attract three kinds of fans (i) crazy people (ii) people fascinated by crazy people and (iii) people who see crazy people as a metaphor for society.  Unfortunately, I'm none of these (I’ll ignore my Wife and assert my sanity) and found Lilith a bit of a slog.

At 114 minutes, it’s outrageously padded out and digressive. Did we really need a picnic, bike ride, mentally ill spiders, an unfaithful wife, a town fair, and pony ride? However, it becomes more interesting when we focus on the main plot: the seduction of Beatty by Seberg.  The direction by Rossen is good - and the B&W photography exquisite – but Lilith is really an actor’s movie, and it needed much better lead actors.

Acting:  We can start with Hackman – I’ve never seen him worse.  He’s miscast as a bland Babbitt with a paunchy stomach and a bad southern accent.  Warren Beatty is, well, adequate.  He doesn’t embarrass himself, but his performance is an inch deep. The same is true of Jean Seberg.  Her face glows with beauty, but she’s more naughty UCLA co-ed - then a siren luring men to death/insanity.  There’s not much chemistry there.  OTOH, Peter Fonda is surprisingly good as the suicidal twit.

Most Risqué Scene (for 1964): Beatty finds Seberg in a Lesbian tryst, throws out her lover, calls her a “Dirty Bitch” and then closes the barn door for a literal “roll in the hay”.

Dullest Scene: We spend 5 minutes on Beatty walking up to the Sanatorium and having a job interview.

Summary: More interesting than good.  Justly forgotten –it needed more energy/depth, and better acting. I wouldn’t bother unless you like the Stars.

** -  In 19th Century German/English Literature "Lilith"  is a long-haired seductress