Liliom

Liliom works as a barker at Madame Muscat's carousel, attracting crowds with his patter. A rival, Hollinger, schemes to ruin him and informs Mme Muscat that Liliom flirts with customers; meanwhile Muscat herself is having an affair with Liliom. When she insults Liliom's female customers, he defends them and she fires him.

After leaving the carousel, Liliom pursues Julie and Julie's friend Marie, ultimately choosing Julie as his partner. They move into a run-down trailer together. Julie works in a photo studio while Liliom loafs, drinks, and gets into violent arguments with her.

Julie becomes pregnant, raising the stakes for their unstable life. The couple's hopes for a better future are overshadowed by financial strain and the fear of failure. Liliom's responsibility to his child weighs on him as he contemplates his choices.

Mme Muscat offers a substantial raise to lure Liliom back to the carousel, tempting him with stable work. He deliberates, but ultimately declines when he learns Julie is expecting a child. The decision underscores his commitment to his growing family, however precarious it may be.

Liliom's criminal friend Alfred proposes a payroll clerk robbery as a quick way to secure money for the baby. He insists that Liliom bring along a kitchen knife, while Alfred plans to do his part. Desperation pushes Liliom to agree, despite the danger.

The robbery attempt is foiled and Alfred escapes, but Liliom is cornered by the police. Rather than surrender, he stabs himself with the kitchen knife to avoid arrest. He is left unconscious and is carried home on a stretcher.

Liliom awakens near death and confesses to Julie that he must face the judgment of God. He dies soon after, haunted by his cruelty and fear of retribution. Julie is left to confront the consequences of his choices.

Liliom's soul rises and is met by two agents who identify themselves as God's Police, who escort him to Heaven. He is directed to an area for suicides where a stern Commissioner evaluates his life, showing him a film of his fights and thoughts. The Commissioner sentences him to sixteen years in Purgatory, with permission for one day back on Earth.

Sixteen years pass and Liliom is allowed to return to Earth to visit his daughter, Louise. An angel reminds him to bring something beautiful for her. He sneaks down and steals a star before meeting his child.

Liliom meets his daughter Louise, who is repulsed by the memory of her mother's cruelty. She refuses his gift and throws the star into the gutter. Liliom follows her home and, in frustration, slaps her hand away before he vanishes.

Back in Heaven, the scales of justice swing toward the devil as Liliom's treatment of Louise is judged. The Commissioner is furious that Liliom has broken the heart of a child, and Liliom insists that one can only love him as he is.

Just as judgment seems final, the angel-typist draws attention to a scene on Earth: Louise tells her mother that Liliom's slap felt like a kiss. Julie confirms such a kiss could exist, and mother and daughter embrace, moved to tears. The revelation hints at love's power to redeem.

The love shown by Liliom's daughter settles the balance in Heaven, and the scales tilt toward the heavenly side. Liliom's name is slowly removed from the devil's tablet, granting him a chance at eternity.