Fireflies in the Garden (2008)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Dennis Lee

Writers:

Robert Frost (poem)
Dennis Lee (writer)

Release Date:

17 July 2008 (Greece)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

The semi-autobiographical story centers on the complexities of love and commitment in a family torn apart when faced by an unexpected tragedy. |

Cast

Ryan Reynolds	...	Michael Waechter
Willem Dafoe	...	Charles Waechter
Emily Watson	...	Jane Lawrence
Carrie-Anne Moss	...	Kelly Hanson (as Carrie Anne Moss)
Julia Roberts	...	Lisa Waechter
Ioan Gruffudd	...	Addison
Hayden Panettiere	...	Young Jane Lawrence
Shannon Lucio	...	Ryne Waechter
Cayden Boyd	...	Young Michael Waechter
George Newbern	...	Jimmy Lawrence (as George Newburn)
Chase Ellison	...	Christopher Lawrence
Brooklynn Proulx	...	Leslie Lawrence
Diane Perella	...	Flight Attendant
Natalie Karp	...	Social Worker
John C. Stennfeld	...	Reverend Byers (as Reverend John Stennfeld)

MPAA:

Rated R for language and some sexual content.

Runtime:

Germany:99 min (theatrical version) | Israel:120 min | Germany:120 min (Berlin International Film Festival) | Argentina:120 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Finland:K-13 | Netherlands:6 | USA:R | Singapore:M18 | Argentina:13 | Portugal:M/12 | Ireland:15A | Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Company:

Kulture Machine

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When Kelly first appears walking into the house after the funeral, the boom mic is visibly above the doorway.

Soundtrack:

Piano Trio in A minor (Op. 50)

It Could Have Been Great

I agree with Raj Doctor, although I would rate the film higher.

The film was released in Russia with little publicity and became lost in the summer blockbusters. Without revealing information, the acting is excellent. The story is very indeed very realistic. If you find realism boring, then this is not a film for you.

The final third of the film, however, is missing. I have read that at the Berlin Film Festival, where the film premiered, it was announced to be 2 hours long, but the version in Russia is missing 20 minutes. Because the ending felt rushed while the rest of it was very well controlled, I cannot help but believe that this time was taken out of the final act. It's a shame really, because it could have been a great film. As it is, it is still a very good film that I recommend for the patient viewer.