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Fireflies in the Garden

Play trailer Poster for Fireflies in the Garden R 2011 1h 38m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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21% Tomatometer 52 Reviews 45% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Successful novelist Michael (Ryan Reynolds) visits his family in the Midwest, only to learn that his mother, Lisa (Julia Roberts), has died in a tragic accident. Along with his father, Charles (Willem Dafoe), a college professor, and his sister, Ryne (Shannon Lucio), Michael attempts to come to terms with his grief. Lisa's absence revives many old wounds, however, and the emerging tensions threaten to destroy the family just as they make an effort to come together and mourn.
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Fireflies in the Garden

Fireflies in the Garden

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Critics Consensus

Despite boasting a stellar cast, Fireflies in the Garden is just tedious, dull and predictable melodrama. Instantly forgettable.

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Critics Reviews

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Deborah Ross The Spectator Aug 29, 2018
One of those dysfunctional family melodramas in which a dysfunctional family gets all melodramatic, and here is what I would say to this family if I could: "Get over it or, failing that, go away and bother someone else." Go to Full Review J. R. Jones Chicago Reader Oct 20, 2011
This histrionic family drama must have looked good on paper to attract such a big-name cast, but on the screen it comes off as glib, rushed, and underdeveloped. Go to Full Review Marc Savlov Austin Chronicle Oct 14, 2011
1/5
This locally shot weeper is unhappy in myriad ways, few of which manage to coalesce around its heart-stung core. Go to Full Review Nikki Baughan Roll Credits Oct 30, 2019
3/5
The strength of Fireflies in the Garden undoubtedly lies in its casting, although [Dennis] Lee directs his starry cast with confidence and flair and this should lead on to bigger and better things for the young film-maker. Go to Full Review S. Jhoanna Robledo Common Sense Media Feb 29, 2012
2/5
Uneven drama about unhappy family, including tragedy. Go to Full Review David Noh Film Journal International Oct 14, 2011
Julia Roberts plays ultra-sensitive artiste Ryan Reynolds' noble mother-and that should basically tell you all you need to know about this misguided soapy bunch of bollocks which somehow made its way off the shelf into theatres. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Horror fan 4 @Horrorfan4life Aug 26, 2026 This was a great movie. The tension between the characters of Michael and his dad played brilliantly by Willem Dafoe was fantastic. We get to see flashbacks from Michael's family as he deals with an abusive father and how the sudden death of a loved one stills shows the hate they have from one another in present day. Hayden Panetttiere has yet another small role but is terrific.i loved the story and performances. See more Dani G @RT81139271 May 19, 2025 Lacking of a punch. They tried to, but nah See more Julian S @akajulianscott Aug 29, 2024 A poignant and sometimes shocking tale of family dysfunction and tragedy, featuring a strong cast mostly playing against type. See more Carole G @RT58667912 Sep 15, 2022 I don't undrstand the ending? So much trauma all forgiven because of one home video? Willem DeFoe gives a brilliant performance as a right pr**k but this is all undercut because of IDKW? Maybe there's a version withan alternate ending that makes sense... like DeFoe's character is exposed in a novel and goes to jail for child abuse. See more Jason L @JL4952 Aug 29, 2021 What a mess of a movie. WHY was the father such an abusive a-hole, just one of many questions that go unanswered as you try to follow the bizarro jumping back and forth and who is who. Showing once again that just because a movie has an amazing cast it can still be a bomb. See more Aug 21, 2021 Une belle mais triste histoire qui te rappelle que l'on a tous une famille dysfonctionnelle... See more Read all reviews
Fireflies in the Garden

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Cast & Crew

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Dennis Lee

Director

Julia Roberts

Lisa

Ryan Reynolds

Michael

Willem Dafoe

Charles

Emily Watson

Jane Lawrence

Carrie-Anne Moss

Kelly

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Fireflies in the Garden

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Movie Info

Synopsis Successful novelist Michael (Ryan Reynolds) visits his family in the Midwest, only to learn that his mother, Lisa (Julia Roberts), has died in a tragic accident. Along with his father, Charles (Willem Dafoe), a college professor, and his sister, Ryne (Shannon Lucio), Michael attempts to come to terms with his grief. Lisa's absence revives many old wounds, however, and the emerging tensions threaten to destroy the family just as they make an effort to come together and mourn.
Director
Dennis Lee
Producer
Marco Weber, Sukee Chew, Vanessa Coifman
Screenwriter
Dennis Lee
Distributor
FSI
Production Co
Senator Entertainment
Rating
R (Some Sexual Content|Language)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 14, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 7, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA)
$70.6K
Runtime
1h 38m
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