Popcorn and Inspiration: 'Lilies of the Field': Practicing the Presence of GodNR | 1h 34 min | Drama, Comedy | 1963
Is a church or chapel just a building, or is it a place to practice the presence of God? Ralph Nelson's film asks, and answers, that question. And how.
Handyman Homer Smith (Sidney Poitier), driving through the Arizona desert, finds himself suckered into helping a clutch of nuns construct a church—from scratch. The East German nuns, having weathered hardships in crossing the Berlin Wall, then emigrating, are obviously used to sparse living. Less obvious, especially to Smith, is their insistence that everyone emulate their frugal style.
The imperious Mother Superior Maria (Lilia Skala) embodies that austerity and, thanks to her strict upbringing, has a hard time expressing generosity, warmth, flexibility, and common courtesy. Smith, for his part, is used to being transactional: If you offer your skills to someone, they must pay you or the deal's off....
Source: Popcorn and Inspiration: 'Lilies of the Field': Practicing the Presence of God (https://www.theepochtimes.com/popcorn-and-inspiration-lilies-of-the-field-practicing-the-presence-of-god_4914037.html)