Colorful musical that is deficient in the script department, exactly why Julie is a spy is never really apparent and it really hurts the film. That being said the production design is beautiful as are some of Julie's costumes, it all seems overproduced and under-directed though. While the design is good a problem the film suffers from, and it was one many 60's musicals share, is that nothing looks lived in or used so it feels false from the beginning. Rock has been better elsewhere although that also is probably the fault of the script. What makes this worth sitting through is Julie and her voice which is exquisite and put to use on some lovely songs. "Whistling Away the Dark" in particular is haunting and beautifully staged if only the rest of the film was up to its brilliance this would have been something indeed.
Review of Darling Lili
