Firelight (1997)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

William Nicholson

Writer (WGA):

William Nicholson (written by)

Release Date:

4 September 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Romance | Drama

Tagline:

Passion has no limits

Plot:

In 1838, lovely governess Elisabeth agrees to bear a child of anonymous English landowner, and he will in return pay her father's debt...

Plot Keywords:

Melodrama | Period Piece | Lovers Reunited | Love Affair | Nanny

Awards:

2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Sophie Marceau	...	Elisabeth Laurier
Stephen Dillane	...	Charles Godwin
Dominique Belcourt	...	Louisa Godwin
Kevin Anderson	...	John Taylor
Lia Williams	...	Constance
Joss Ackland	...	Lord Clare
Sally Dexter	...	Molly Holland
Emma Amos	...	Ellen
Maggie McCarthy	...	Mrs. Jago
Wolf Kahler	...	Sussman
Annabel Giles	...	Amy Godwin
John Flanagan	...	Robert Ames
Valerie Minifie	...	Hannah
Diana Payan	...	Mrs. Maidment
John Hodgkinson	...	Carlo

MPAA:

Rated R for sexuality and brief strong language.

Runtime:

103 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English | French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | UK:15 | South Korea:18 | Belgium:KT | Finland:S | France:U | Germany:12 (bw) | Hong Kong:IIB | Singapore:R(A) (original rating) | Singapore:R21 (re-rating) (uncut) | Spain:13 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Calvados, France

Company:

Carnival Films

Quotes:

Elisabeth: Do you know about Firelight?
Louisa: What about it?
Elisabeth: It's a kind of magic. Firelight makes time stand still. When you put out the lamps and sit in the firelight's glow there aren't any rules any more.
[blows out lamp]
Elisabeth: You can do what you want, say what you want, be what you want, and when the lamps are lit again, time starts again, and everything you said or did is forgotten. More than forgotten it never happened.

Exquisite

Just by chance, I selected this film at a time of night when I'm ready for sleep. I watched it once.... then, again but fell asleep thru part of it. Two days later, I watched it again (wide awake this time) and that's when I fell in love with it. The first time.... I admit, it was the titillating story... the child was secondary. The second time.... I wanted to watch Sophie Marceau's delivery of her character. The third time.... I realized that Stephen Dillane's delivery of his character was so nuanced, I missed it the first 2 times. He is what makes this story so wonderful.

Because I am a big fan of British film, I wondered why I was not familiar with Stephen Dillane's name. After some research, I found that I have seen him in some character roles, but nowhere is he as handsome as in this film. Sophie Marceau is so accomplished that together, some of their scenes unfold as a dance.

This film is so delicate, with exquisite timing and phrases, that I can truly say it is as well-done as Campion's The Piano. Elisabeth's shout when she opens the doors to the lake. Godwin's face from recognition to omigod to sweet smile when he sees Elisabeth again. Godwin's explanation that a month with Elisabeth in the house would be an eternity. Their dance at the door when Louisa is screaming to be let out. And many more.

If you love stories of heart-felt deep love, this is it. Just be sure to watch it closely and more than once.