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Poster for Firelight

Firelight

Seen it?

1998 | 103 min | Romance, Drama

Weeknight Watchearly rating

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With middling reviews (41% on Rotten Tomatoes) and soft box office, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for romantics.
The mood
Warm and romantic.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 43 min.
What might put you off
Rated R: meant for adults.

In 1838, lovely governess Elisabeth Laurier agrees to bear a child of an anonymous English landowner, and he will in return pay her father's debt. At birth, she, as agreed, gives up the child. Seven years later, she is hired as governess to a girl on a remote Sussex estate. The girl's father, Charles Godwin, turns out to be that anonymous landowner. So Elisabeth has to be her own daughter's governess, and she can't reveal the secret of her tie with little Louisa.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsBelow par

    41% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesNot counted

    Not measured yet: not enough ratings

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $3 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactBelow par

    About 56K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by William Nicholson

  • Sophie MarceauElisabeth Laurier
  • Stephen DillaneCharles Godwin
  • Dominique BelcourtLouisa Godwin
  • Kevin AndersonJohn Taylor
  • Joss AcklandLord Clare
  • Lia WilliamsConstance
  • Sally DexterMolly Holland
  • Emma AmosEllen
  • Maggie McCarthyMrs. Jago
  • Wolf KahlerSussman