dapplegrey13
I have seen this haunting, romantic film many times. It's simply beautiful. Sophie Marceau and Stephen Dillane are a magnificent couple. Character development here is so profound that I have a hard time seeing either of them as anyone else other than their unforgettable characters from this romantic, bittersweet love story.It's especially candlelit, filled with firelight, foggy, and dim... old castle walls... beautiful costumes, bustiers, and the whole nine yards. The storyline is completely believable, sad, and still hopeful.It's JUST the kind of movie to watch on a rainy afternoon. I simply love it. Strong supporting cast and an all-but-perfect screenplay.It starts in 1836 England when a beautiful young unmarried woman from Switzerland arrives. In Switzerland, her father has been imprisoned and her family is destitute. She is answering an ad about a wealthy English landowner who needs an heir, but whose wife is in a vegetative state (and she has been for many years.) The young woman agrees to sleep with the gentleman for several nights in order to get pregnant, stay in England thru her pregnancy, and then give him the baby when it is born. In return, she will receive from him a great sum of money -- a small fortune -- the money she needs to get her father out of prison and get her family back on its feet again. All of this will be done in absolute secrecy and anonymity... they agree not to even learn each others' names, for the sake of his reputation.Doesn't this sound intriguing? It IS! It just gets better and better, too. I LOVE IT! So, rent it or buy it. Unplug the phone and darken the shades. Don't let anyone interrupt you during this unforgettable romance. ENJOY!
Chrysanthepop
William Nicholson's 'Firelight' is a visual feast. It's not high-tech special effects, extravagant sets or costumes or the scenic flowery locations that create the visual beauty but rather the simplicity of it that is beautifully captured by the camera. It is the subtlety and gentle treatment that creates an atmosphere that is cold or warm. Notice though in the scenes where the temperature is supposed to be freezing, there is a coldness between the characters but the scenes with the firelight reflect a warmth in the characters. The story itself is pretty simple. There is hardly any 'main' conflict that drives the story. Any plot device that is presented is almost immediately resolved like Elisabeth getting Louisa to study, Charles giving Elisabeth a one-month notice and then falling for her. The movie moves at a rapid pace but Nicholson has handled the sequences quite well because none of it looks rushed. The love scenes were tastefully shot.The acting is excellent. An incredibly beautiful Sophie Marceau does a phenomenal job. Stephan Dillane too does an equally convincing job. The supporting cast is good too.'Firelight' is not without its share of loopholes. For example, considering that the film is set in the 1800s, how did they manage to maintain a comatose patient so well in seemingly such good health? Regarding the death sequence, why was such a cruel form of euthanasia, by having the victim freeze to death, chosen? The happy ending also feels a bit awkward but that may be because one would normally expect a tragic solution.In short, 'Firelight' is a worthy film because of its visual and poetic beauty. I am very picky about romantic films and loath movies such as 'Titanic' but if the movie has something more than pretty props to offer, something that is both visually enticing and lyrical then I am ready to give it my time.
houri2
good story, good acting. no over-acting, no under-acting. beautiful shots/scenery. rottentomatoes gave it a very low rating, but this is proof that a movie doesn't need to score extremely high to be enjoyed. i enjoyed this movie very much. no complaints really. i watch a lot of movies and sometimes they are painfully unfunny or lack creativity or even anything remotely artistic. this movie had a lot of beauty and can reach a broad audience i think. sophie marceau is lovely to look at and the daughter louisa was not nearly as bratty as max from 'where the wild things are' - you don't feel like you're watching a ritalin advert. i liked the movie because in its simplicity, minimal dialogue, etc, they were able to give me something good to watch.
loris272002
I woke up to the movie at 7:00 am and was pleasantly surprised. I was captivated by the story. I like historical romance stories. I normally don't seek out movies like historical romance stories. The characters were memorable and left me wanting more. Unfortually I missed the beginning but was captivated by the story and the characters. Trying to watch it again but can't find it on cable or what channel it is on. I have search on cable on demand for the channel encore but can't find it. Any information you could give would be great. thanks...
AD
