Firelight

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Firelight

R

1997

1h 43m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

41%

Tomatometer

17 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

In the 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)

01/10/2023

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.

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Nigel Andrews

Financial Times

01/10/2023

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.

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Philip French

Observer (UK)

01/10/2023

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.

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Malcolm Johnson

Hartford Courant

04/17/2018

4/5

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.

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Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

05/26/2006

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.

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

09/20/2005

3/5

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Moe B.

@MoeB27 Mar 11

I watched this movie many years ago and still remember most of it. Beautifully filmed and romantic. I think women would appreciate it more than men. One of my all-time favorite movies.

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Alain E

@AlainE Feb 23

Unclear why this has been savaged by the critics. Like a 19th century romantic novel it describes a relationship that starts as a monetary exchange. That period’s surrogate motherhood develops into a real love story that eventually overcomes the different obstacles. Far from flawless ethically, the film ends with the promise that the protagonists will have better days. Very well photographed and acted, no wonder why it is approved by the viewers. On Prime.

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L L

@RT15833549 Jan 1

I love this hidden gem, I found it by accident years ago on TV and its stayed with me ever since. I don't care what the critics say, its a beautiful little story, wonderfully acted with exceptional music.

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Jason R

@RT07709094 Oct 6

Honestly this is a film I keep going back to and watching again, the two leads have great chemistry that is amazing to see Sophie Marceau is truly one of the most beautiful women ever, the story is well done, the cast did great throughout

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Steve A

@RT92021794 05/22/2024

Loved it ! Heartfelt Melancholy Masterpiece !

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wendy b

@WoodlandElf 08/27/2020

I absolutely loved this movie. It was a beautiful period drama with plenty of emotion. Highly recommended!

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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 the 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