There's a crucial event when his son Michael Ryan Reynolds , and Cayden Boyd when younger recites an "original poem" before his father's colleagues, and the poem turns out to be plagiarized from Robert Frost. Charles is red-faced with rage. Yes, his son has committed an academic mortal sin, but when the response is as extreme as Charles', it's an indicator he may feel a great deal of insecurity. His personality will make his family dysfunctional on down through the years.
Feelings will grow more complicated because Charles the father is a would-be novelist in the past, and Michael the son has just published a successful novel in the present. The screenplay shows signs of being inspired by personal memories that still hurt and are still piling up in Michael's mind. Fair enough, but the film doesn't sort this out clearly, and we experience vignettes in search of a story arc. The actors are all capable Dafoe is fearsome , but they seem to drop in and out of the timeline as required.
We see literal fireflies in the garden, and the Frost poem supplies not only the occasion for plagiarism but the title of Michael's novel — suggesting it settled old scores.
Yes, but although fireflies are exemplary embodiments of transitory life and are often evoked by writers, I am never sure what they represent. Timmy Hills Art Director. Kelle Kutsugeras Costume Designer. Ferne Cassel Casting. View All Critic Reviews Sep 29, I am amazed that this film didn't get a big wide release, especially with it's all star cast. It is very good. I definitely recommend this film, especially cause of the performances.
Sol C Super Reviewer. Sep 09, Great cast. Willem Dafoe, and Ryan Reynolds, really pulled this one off well Even though it dealt with issues that most people find very disturbing, I think that it was handled very well. Not a "feel good" movie by any means Cynthia S Super Reviewer. Sep 01, There is something fairly standard about "Fireflies in the Garden" while in brief moments it can hint at something much better.
This is a family drama with a top notch cast that is centered around a surprisingly serious turn from Ryan Reynolds. Reynolds employs his usual charm as Michael Taylor, a young man that grew up with a difficult father. That father as played by Willem Dafoe is given more depth than simply being a movie dad who is relentlessly hateful. He has his true moments of cruelty while also understanding the love and pride he should find for his son. While Michael is otherwise surrounded by strong females who love him dearly such as his mother Juia Roberts and her sister Jane Emily Watson.
The story of Michael, a published novelist who has made a living writing romance novels, is a slight bit of a disappointment to his father, a college english professor.
He is returning home for his sister's college graduation when tragedy strikes and through a series of flashbacks we see Michaels memories that have inspired the current turmoil that hangs over the family.
There are enough good performances here and touching moments for me to recommend this, but you will walk away feeling Lee's aspirations were bigger than his final product can warrant.
Philip P Super Reviewer. Aug 27, Interesting film. A lot of big names in this. The storyline does drag out for a while. Willem Dafoe does a great job of making you hate his character. Sean G Super Reviewer. See all Audience reviews. There are no approved quotes yet for this movie. Best Horror Movies. Worst Superhero Movies. News Corp is a global, diversified media and information services company focused on creating and distributing authoritative and engaging content and other products and services.
Dow Jones. By Alexandra Cheney. To Read the Full Story. Subscribe Sign In. She, too, hates Charles domineering nature and sides with Michael against him. When Michael embarrasses Charles in front of his colleagues by falsely claiming to have written a poem, Fireflies in the Garden by Robert Frost, he is punished by having to hold his weighted arms horizontal.
Later, unable to lift his aching arms, Jane feeds him. The conflicts escalate, with Michael eventually intervening in a quarrel between his parents, attacking Charles and forcing him to the ground. Events in the present are driven by a catastrophe. While college senior Ryne picks up Michael at the airport, Charles and Lisa are driving hurriedly to Janes house for a party in honor of Lisas college graduation.
Charles swerves to avoid colliding with Christopher, retrieving a ball in the road, and their car hits a tree, killing Lisa and severely hurting Charles. The adult Ryne and Michael arrive moments later. Michael attempts to cheer up Janes children, telling them "Before your mother was a mom, she was my best friend. Concerned with what Charles and Jane will think, he encourages the children to lie to their mother about the firecrackers.
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