Description:
Firelight's first time director William Nicholson has long been a scriptwriter with an eye for historical detail (Shadowlands). Set in 1830's Sussex, his script for Firelight could so easily have been made to look like an off-the-peg BBC costume drama. But with his careful directorial eye for colour and mood Nicholson ensures that never happens. The story concerns Sophie Marceau's Swiss governess, who breaks the societal taboo of out-of-marriage sex to provide a child for Stephen Dillane's cold British aristocrat. Firelight is an exploration of the maternal instinct, and is a remarkably feminine film to come from the pen and len
Firelight's first time director William Nicholson has long been a scriptwriter with an eye for historical detail (Shadowlands). Set in 1830's Sussex, his script for Firelight could so easily have been made to look like an off-the-peg BBC costume drama. But with his careful directorial eye for colour and mood Nicholson ensures that never happens. The story concerns Sophie Marceau's Swiss governess, who breaks the societal taboo of out-of-marriage sex to provide a child for Stephen Dillane's cold British aristocrat. Firelight is an exploration of the maternal instinct, and is a remarkably feminine film to come from the pen and lens of a male director. Dillane's bed-ridden wife, her lovesick housekeeping sister, and especially the brittle and withdrawn child Louisa are all fully-rounded characters whose lives intersect and threaten each other with emotional tragedy at every turn. Holding the simple tale together alongside the performances and photography is a magical score by Christopher Gunning, which paints a sad yet wondrous picture of the symbolically dancing flames. There's also a scene-stealing cameo from Joss Ackland as the bullish father who ultimately encourages everyone to dismiss convention and lead the lives they truly desire. --Paul Tonks
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EAN: 3333297861151
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