Lilies Not for Me ⁞⁞ Movie Spotlight

The psychological UK drama Lilies Not for Me takes place in 1920s England and centers on Owen James (Fionn O'Shea), a young gay novelist admitted into a medical facility where he is the subject of experimental treatments proclaimed to cure homosexuality. The treatment program includes prescribed "dates" with his young nurse Dorothy (Erin Kellyman), designed to help prepare him for a "normal" heterosexual life. However, their daily teatime leads to Owen revealing the details of his romantic past, shown through extensive flashbacks. Owen lived a secluded life until he was joined by his former school friend Philipp Fairfax (Robert Aramayo) who is eager to tell Owen about a cure for homosexuality. Owen wishes to be happy in seclusion, hoping they might be happy together. He pressures Owen to help him perform a medical procedure that he believes would cure them both of their homosexual desires. The reluctant Owen agrees to to help him, but only if they give-in to their feelings and be together first. They enjoy days of romantic bliss, until they are interrupted by the house's former owner Mr. Green. They allow the drunken man to stay on the grounds as Philipp reveals that he is ready for the cure. He also reveals that it will require a donor to replace his "infected" body, leading him to kill Mr. Green. Owen is left scarred emotionally by his desperate actions and the invasive surgery, while Philipp is scarred physically. In the present, Owen & Dorothy develop a friendship, as she grows more invested in his story, which he is also writing while in isolation. 

Owen continues his story, revealing Philipp's desire to turn their focus towards finding a donor so that Owen can undergo the same procedure. But, Owen refuses to follow Philipp's path, leaving him upset. They are later taken aback by the arrival of Charles (Louis Hofmann), Mr. Green's son, who has come searching for his father. They agree to provide him shelter for the night, while being secretive about his father's fate. Owen and the married Charles begin to bond quickly, leading to an affair witnessed by Philipp. He attempts to get close to Owen once again, but Owen rebuffs him, telling Philipp that it's time for him to return to his life now that his recovery is complete. Before departing, Philipp offers a veiled threat to Charles, warning him that he could go to jail for his actions with Owen and lose his family. He tells Charles of the procedure to cure his deviant desires. Owen is left devastated to find Charles has died after Philipp performed the surgical procedure before his departure. The distraught Owen travels to see Charles' wife, revealing his death and sharing his condolences. But when he visits a pub and believes he's getting signals from another gay man, Owen is arrested as part of a police trap. It's revealed that this is how he ended up in the facility, under the care of none other than Philipp. When Owen refuses to let go of his typewriter, he is placed in a straight-jacket, with Philipp professing that he will save Owen's life the same way that Owen saved his. Ultimately, Owen is forced to undergo the surgical procedure at Philipp's hands.