Firelight

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Firelight

R

Released Sep 14, 1997

1h 43m

Drama

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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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Critics Consensus

Predictable and dull.

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Geoff Brown

The 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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Audience Member

I was intrigued, but it was a little creepy. Not scary creepy.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

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Audience Member

Beautiful and romantic

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/20/20

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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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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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