Customer Reviews

Firelight

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This wonderful little movie was a definate sleeper when it came out and that is a terrible shame because it was such a good story!

Granted it is not based on an actual "classic novel" which seems to be the critera for a period flick to get big budget attention which is too bad. Because unlike "Wings of a Dove", "Jude", "House of Mirth" etc. (Basically anything that was not adapted from Jane Austin) this movie begins with the classic elements and then spins a 180 and gives the viewers a satisfying ending.

The atmousphere of the movie is gloomy, cold and depressing with the only warmth emanating from firelight (hence the name.) A Governess is forced to prostitute her body as a surrogate mother to bail her father out of debtors prison. There is the sad, lonely country lord with a heartbreaking secret and crushing debt trying to save his estate. and a miserable, confused child acting out as a perfect brat. Yet this mix of pathetic souls inconcievably comes to a suprisingly happy ending!

Want to know how it happens? Do whatever you can to get your hands on a copy of this movie. The storyline is actually quite enchanting and the performances are heartfelt and beautiful. You will not be disapointed unless you happen to thrive on the classic tragic ending, then watch "Jude", The epitome of perfect tragic endings.

Why it is not available on DVD yet is the big mystery, But I am encouraging a campaign to bring it out ASAP!

How can this movie be ignored by the US and European DVD markets when they manufacture DVD's of other movies that are of no value at all? This is an excellent movie with exceptional performances by Sophie Marceau and Dominique Belcourt (the 7 year old girl). This rare DVD is worth owning if you can find it in the Region 1 (US & Canada) format so it will play on US & Canadian DVD players. I have searched the Internet and the only Region 1 version I could find is from a third-party seller here on Amazon called Figureof8. This DVD is definitely a must for your DVD collection and an added plus is that the sales by Figureof8 help supplement his fixed disability income so buy one for a friend! PS - Does anyone know what happened to Dominique Belcourt?

Firelight is one of my all-time favorites.I am very excited that it is now on dvd, but I wonder if there are any special features. I got the cd of the soundtrack for my birthday two years ago- The composer is Christopher Gunning. It took some internet investigating in order to find it, but it is well worth it. The music is haunting and poignant. It is nice to see some others appreciate this wonderful film and its beautiful music.

This is a well acted, quirky period piece with an unusual story line. Here, an English gentleman (Stephen Dillane) is looking for a weekend of fairly anonymous sex in hopes of fathering a child, as his invalid wife is not up to the task. An impoverished Swiss miss (Sophie Marceau) is desperate for money due to her family's circumstances. She passes muster during the initial interview with the English gentleman and is hired for the job of potential surrogate mother. Their nights of anonymous sex turn out to be a surprise for both of them, yet they part with the understanding that they will never again meet. Their union having proved fruitful, she ultimately gives birth to a child, their daughter, who is taken from her immediately after birth and given to the father, as contracted. For seven long years they are separated. They are then all brought together, causing upheaval and tumultuous changes in all their lives.

This is a well acted drama with fine performances by the entire cast. The only wrong note is struck by the child who plays the seven year old daughter. She is simply odious and obnoxious, making the viewer itch to slap her. There is nothing that the child does that makes the viewer feel the child's desire for a mother. The other performers, however, more than make up for this one dimensional child actress. Moreover, the cinematography is quite beautiful, with stunning shots of a fairytale lake house. All in all, this is a film that those who love period pieces will enjoy.

I saw this movie about ten years ago and fell in love with it. The acting by Marceau and Dillane is superb and the story is entirely believable given that it has a historical slant. Like all the other people looking for this movie to own, I was surprised that it is not more widely available. But last week I found (it is an Asian import but audio is English with the option of Chinese subtitles) for the great sale price of $11.99, and considering what the sellers here are offering (the very same version), I'd advise you to check it out. Happy watching.

I bought this DVD from an Amazon third party sale, but I had to return it because it was the Hong Kong version and wouldn't work properly on my DVD player! Netflix has it listed on my queue but there's a very long wait. Does anyone know where I can buy the US version DVD?

I do not have the DVD version, but this movie is excellent. I have been waiting for some time to see this out on DVD. The acting is superb and the setting adds to the story. This is a very character driven story. I recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys period romance.

My main question for anyone who has purchased this is, does the DVD include a trailer? I have been desperate for years to figure out the music playing in the trailer. If anyone knows, please let me know!

This movie is a beautiful love story of a young woman who decides to have and give up her baby in order to repay her father's debts. After the birth of her little girl, however, she realized that she had to find her. After many years of searching she finally found her and got the chance to become her own daughter's governess... and this is really where the movie starts. We are taken on a journey of our heroine trying to regain the affection of Luisa's father, and win the love and respect of her young daughter Luisa.

The feel of this movie resembles Jane Eyre, a little dark but you would never be opressed by it because of the evident love between all the characters. I love period films and have been waiting it seems a lifetime for this one to come out on DVD. This movie is great addition to any period collection and is definitely worth getting.

I happened to catch this movie on tv one night and I was glued to the screen from the start. Sophie Marceau is one of the most underrated actresses in Hollywood. Her performance is incredibly moving and heartwrenching. I was particularly impressed with the way the film portrayed Charles, Louisa's father and Sophie Marceau's one-time lover. Though his desperate quest for an heir and insistance that Louisa not know her mother's identity could have easily been seen as shady or selfish, the film instead shows him as a lonely, tortured soul. Most films with no obvious "bad guy" tend to be slightly dull or slow moving. While Firelight is by no means an action thriller, it is anything but dull. I recommend it to anyone looking for an artistic, beautiful, well-acted film.