‘FIRELIGHT’ (2012)

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Early this year, Hallmark Hall of Fame productions made a drastic change. It moved from its long-time “permanent” home on CBS to ABC. The move takes us by surprise as we immediately wonder if this wonderful series is coming to an end after over two-hundred films. Once surprise wears off, it’s more a question of why CBS puts an end to things. Now, Firelight marks the debut move to a new network..

Firelight (2012) Hallmark Hall of Fame TV Film Review

There isn’t much you can do when a young person decides to throw away their life. As a counselor at a correctional facility, D.J. (Cuba Gooding Jr.) doesn’t have an easy job. Every day, he sees broken young people whose lives are not only ruined by the choices they’ve make but from neglect or domestic abuse. The facility houses only women and D.J. sees – despite the attitudes and pasts, these women are better than what they think in their capacity as convicts. Instead of merely counseling them to betterment, D.J. comes up with a program that will show the girls they can do good works – to help them feel a sense of belonging and hope in heroic acts they train for. Then he meets Caroline (Q’orianka Kilcher).

‘FIRELIGHT’ (2012). Review of the first Hallmark Hall of Fame film on ABC. All review text © Rissi JC / Rissiwrites.com

Only seventeen, she’s bitter over the betrayal of a boyfriend, and yet still, she forgives him. Caroline seems like the one girl D.J. has to work extra hard at reaching. Despite her closed personality, D.J. sees something in Caroline that her fellow inmates do not. Determined to reach her, he encourages Caroline to join Crew 9; a team that not only fights forest fires but also saves civilian lives – offering each of these women a chance at redemption in the process. Crew leader, Terri (DeWanda Wise) has a past that every day she re-lives – a single moment she would give almost anything to change. Feeling as if Caroline could use a friend, through D.J. and Terri’s help, she may be able to “buy herself back,” learning to live again.

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In case I haven’t told you all, generally speaking, I love the productions that Hallmark Hall of Fame brings to our television screens. To my surprise, Firelight is a memorable piece of film work. Behind the lens, the writing and directing is by two people who are no stranger to Hallmark. Additionally, it’s producer is Brent Shields (Beyond the Blackboard, Loving Leah, The Russell Girl, and countless others), yet another familiar name to television productions.

Primarily, the movie is Caroline’s story. It opens by telling us why she’s in the facility but as the film progresses, we know little of her history; why she makes the decisions she does. We make an educated guess that she’s abused, which leads to the assumption that she’s in foster care. These two hours are most kind to Terri in terms of a back-story. We learn the pain of her past and can “feel” it through the screen – we understand why she is a broken soul who has still managed to “move on” in spite of the mistake that cost her not just her once happy, carefree life but also the eventual loss of her mother whom she cannot “help.”

Anyone who is familiar with Kilcher’s name or work will know what kind of actress she is. She’s an expressionless actor, who looks angry most the time. Her anger and sorrow is evident in nearly every frame, rarely does she even crack a smile. Each and every one of the ladies in this film is phenomenal. Wise plays Terri with the right amount of raw emotion and heartbreak. Then there’s Cuba Gooding Jr. He’s equally marvelous in his role..

Firelight packs a lot of emotions. Sorrow that a girl repeats her mistakes and cannot make good on her second chance. Disappointment that another refuses her father. Heartbreak when we realize the extent of the reasons behind some of the girls wind up where they do. Even in this, there’s poignancy, too, and despite a typically ambiguous Hallmark ending, the movie is solid. There are tears, yes, but it is a tale of redemption that ultimately will triumph over temptations. That is what leads to a smile.

Content: there are implications one of the girls has a child [presumably out-of-wedlock]; the girls pick fights and attempt to injure the “new” girl [nothing graphic]. Another girl re-counts her crime [a hit and run]. There are two dramatic rescues; one involves a fire, another shows a car lying on its side after going over a cliff but again, nothing is graphic. There are implications of abuse and conversations about joining gangs. The rating is TV-PG.

About Rissi JC

amateur graphic designer. confirmed bookaholic. bubbl’r enthusiast. critical thinker. miswesterner. social media coordinator. writer.

10 comments

  1. Brooke – do! =) It is really very good and a great look at redemption; the power forgiveness can have.

    Charity – *gasp!* You actually turned off a Hallmark film?! ;D

    It was quite good. The story is strong but its message packs a punch.

  2. Hello Rissi,

    I enjoyed reading your review of Firelight. Would you mind if I link to it on my site – on my Firelight page?

    I feel – just like you wrote about Charity – rather shocked that I missed a Hallmark Movie.

    Oh well, guess it won't be the last time. And, the sun is still shining and the birds are still singing!!!

    (by the way, Charity, (speaking of Birds) if you catch this… how was Birdsong on PBS?)

    Again, thanks Rissi for the great review – let me know about the link!

  3. Charity – ha! Good point. And, we are so glad you didn't, girl! =)

    Net Movie Blogger – thanks! I always watch the HHofF films but unfortunately, I have to await Hallmark Channel movies release to DVD because I don't have any kind of cable. I appreciate you sharing the DVD releases, especially! =)

    Yep, life still does go on…

    Link: Sure, go ahead! I don't mind at all, as long as it is linked / credited to this blog. Thanks for asking – and I am honored you would want to include this review.

    On your note to Charity (I hope she checks back =D): From what she has said, it is not a good movie. (There is a lot of inappropriate content.) I was curious like you so it was kind of disappointing to learn that but… it definitely had that "look" about it.

    So happy you stopped in with a comment. =)

  4. Birdsong: well, it's only half over, so I don't know if there will be consequences for the immorality or not. But it revolves around flashbacks to an adulterous love affair and some of them are a bit, um… mature. But I'm intrigued, so I'll watch the rest.

  5. Thank you…

    Rissi, for letting me share a link to your review. I added it to my site on the Firelight page. Please let me know, if you approve.

    Charity, I appreciated hearing your Birdsong review. I'm glad my family skipped that one.

    Thank you, again to Rissi …. for letting me take a detour on your Firelight Comments.

    God bless!

  6. Charityreally!? It's good otherwise…

    That is nice to know because I may be tempted to try it – but then considering it likely has a "bad" ending, I may stick with my original notions. =)

    Net Movie Blogger – you are welcome. Thank you for asking. =) The review page looks just fine. I don't mind when people use my reviews as long as it it credited / linked back to here.

    No problem about the "detour": We all chat back and forth in the comments. They make blogging so much fun. =)

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