Fireflies in the Garden

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Fireflies in the Garden

R

Released Oct 14, 2011

1h 38m

Drama

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21%

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52 Reviews

45%

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25,000+ Ratings

Successful novelist Michael (Ryan Reynolds) visits his family in the Midwest, only to learn that his mother, Lisa (Julia Roberts), has died in a tragic accident. Along with his father, Charles (Willem Dafoe), a college professor, and his sister, Ryne (Shannon Lucio), Michael attempts to come to terms with his grief. Lisa's absence revives many old wounds, however, and the emerging tensions threaten to destroy the family just as they make an effort to come together and mourn.

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Critics Consensus

Despite boasting a stellar cast, Fireflies in the Garden is just tedious, dull and predictable melodrama. Instantly forgettable.

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

One of those dysfunctional family melodramas in which a dysfunctional family gets all melodramatic, and here is what I would say to this family if I could: "Get over it or, failing that, go away and bother someone else."

Aug 29, 2018

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Lisa Schwarzbaum

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: C

Feb 18, 2012

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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

This histrionic family drama must have looked good on paper to attract such a big-name cast, but on the screen it comes off as glib, rushed, and underdeveloped.

Oct 20, 2011

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Nikki Baughan

Roll Credits

The strength of Fireflies in the Garden undoubtedly lies in its casting, although [Dennis] Lee directs his starry cast with confidence and flair and this should lead on to bigger and better things for the young film-maker.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 30, 2019

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S. Jhoanna Robledo

Common Sense Media

Uneven drama about unhappy family, including tragedy.

Rated: 2/5

Feb 29, 2012

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David Noh

Film Journal International

Julia Roberts plays ultra-sensitive artiste Ryan Reynolds' noble mother-and that should basically tell you all you need to know about this misguided soapy bunch of bollocks which somehow made its way off the shelf into theatres.

Oct 14, 2011

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Dani G

Lacking of a punch. They tried to, but nah

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

05/19/25

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Julian S

A poignant and sometimes shocking tale of family dysfunction and tragedy, featuring a strong cast mostly playing against type.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/29/24

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Carole G

I don't undrstand the ending? So much trauma all forgiven because of one home video? Willem DeFoe gives a brilliant performance as a right pr**k but this is all undercut because of IDKW? Maybe there's a version withan alternate ending that makes sense... like DeFoe's character is exposed in a novel and goes to jail for child abuse.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/15/22

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Audience Member

What a mess of a movie. WHY was the father such an abusive a-hole, just one of many questions that go unanswered as you try to follow the bizarro jumping back and forth and who is who. Showing once again that just because a movie has an amazing cast it can still be a bomb.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

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Audience Member

Une belle mais triste histoire qui te rappelle que l'on a tous une famille dysfonctionnelle...

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

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steve d

Despite its incredible cast the script does nothing with them, giving us an extremely slow moving film.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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Dennis Lee

Director

Julia Roberts

Lisa

Ryan Reynolds

Michael

Willem Dafoe

Charles

Emily Watson

Jane Lawrence

Carrie-Anne Moss

Kelly

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Synopsis

Successful novelist Michael (Ryan Reynolds) visits his family in the Midwest, only to learn that his mother, Lisa (Julia Roberts), has died in a tragic accident. Along with his father, Charles (Willem Dafoe), a college professor, and his sister, Ryne (Shannon Lucio), Michael attempts to come to terms with his grief. Lisa's absence revives many old wounds, however, and the emerging tensions threaten to destroy the family just as they make an effort to come together and mourn.

Director: Dennis Lee
Producer: Marco Weber, Sukee Chew, Vanessa Coifman
Screenwriter: Dennis Lee
Distributor: FSI
Production Co: Senator Entertainment
Rating: R (Some Sexual Content|Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 14, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 7, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $70.6K
Runtime: 1h 38m

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