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Firelight

Play trailer Poster for Firelight R Released Sep 14, 1997 1h 43m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
41% Tomatometer 17 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
In 1830s England, debt-ridden governess Elisabeth Laurier (Sophie Marceau) consents to bear a child with aristocrat Charles Godwin (Stephen Dillane), whose crippled wife cannot conceive. So long as Elisabeth relinquishes any maternal claims, he will pay off her father's debts. Though the arrangement is meant to be perfunctory, a forbidden romance blooms between them. Years later, she is hired as governess to a young girl on a remote estate -- who turns out to be the daughter she surrendered.
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Firelight

Firelight

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Critics Consensus

Predictable and dull.

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Critics Reviews

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Geoff Brown Times (UK) It is a British film, of course: who else but an Englishman would want to imprison Marceau in this way, and create a story in which all the main characters look peeved and stunted?... The artifice of the confection is too much to take. Jan 10, 2023 Full Review Nigel Andrews Financial Times A movie that ponderously patch-quilts bits of other films and texts, and even then does not have enough material to fill 107 minutes, let alone a screen wide enough for Lawrence of Arabia. Jan 10, 2023 Full Review Andy Seiler USA Today Rated: 1.5/4 Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Philip French Observer (UK) This modest movie is Jane Eyre on a shoestring, but the Brontës meet East Lynne without igniting a spark or pricking a tear. It's an insufferably dull affair. Jan 10, 2023 Full Review Malcolm Johnson Hartford Courant Though sometimes predictable, Nicholson's film is sustained by the quality of his writing, especially the musings about the magical powers of firelight, by the almost surreal lake house scenes and by the scoring of Christopher Gunning. Rated: 4/5 Apr 17, 2018 Full Review Jeffrey M. Anderson Combustible Celluloid I wish someone would explain to me why all these 19th Century costume dramas need to be so cheerless, so formal, and so godawful boring. May 26, 2006 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (115) audience reviews
Steve A Loved it ! Heartfelt Melancholy Masterpiece ! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/22/24 Full Review wendy w One of my favorite movies of all time. Powerful drama, gorgeous cinematography. The storyline very fresh and interesting and it beautifully captures the power of motherhood. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/24/23 Full Review Sharon N I've watched it three times, and I'm ready to watch it again. Stephen Dillane's performance is addictive. The character's emotions are written all over his face, and his eyes reveal his every thought. His reaction to Sophie to Sophie varies from the first moment of their meeting to the moment when he discovers that he loves her. He is remarkable, and it's a beautiful, thought-provoking film that deserves praise. The plot is unique yet totally believable, and the beginning catches the viewer's attention immediately, stirring up questions as to how the denouement is going to reveal itself. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/11/23 Full Review wendy b I absolutely loved this movie. It was a beautiful period drama with plenty of emotion. Highly recommended! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member I was intrigued, but it was a little creepy. Not scary creepy. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/16/23 Full Review Audience Member Beautiful and romantic Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/20/20 Full Review Read all reviews
Firelight

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Cast & Crew

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William Nicholson

Director

Sophie Marceau

Elisabeth

Stephen Dillane

Charles Godwin

Kevin Anderson

John Taylor

Joss Ackland

Lord Clare

Lia Williams

Constance

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Firelight

Firelight (1997) Firelight (1997) Firelight (1997) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In 1830s England, debt-ridden governess Elisabeth Laurier (Sophie Marceau) consents to bear a child with aristocrat Charles Godwin (Stephen Dillane), whose crippled wife cannot conceive. So long as Elisabeth relinquishes any maternal claims, he will pay off her father's debts. Though the arrangement is meant to be perfunctory, a forbidden romance blooms between them. Years later, she is hired as governess to a young girl on a remote estate -- who turns out to be the daughter she surrendered.
Director
William Nicholson
Producer
Brian Eastman
Screenwriter
William Nicholson
Distributor
Miramax Films
Production Co
Hollywood Pictures, Wind Dancer Productions
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 14, 1997, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$784.4K
Runtime
1h 43m
Sound Mix
Surround
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