Rotten
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.
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader
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Fireflies in the Garden
Overview
The semi-autobiographical story centers on the complexities of love and commitment in a family torn apart when faced with an unexpected tragedy.
Director and cast
- Dennis Lee Director
- Ryan Reynolds as Michael Waechter
- Willem Dafoe as Charles Waechter
- Emily Watson as Jane Lawrence
- Julia Roberts as Lisa Waechter
- Hayden Panettiere as Young Jane
- Carrie-Anne Moss as Kelly Hanson
- Cayden Boyd as Young Michael Taylor
- Ioan Gruffudd as Addison
- Shannon Lucio as Ryne
- Chase Ellison Cast
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
22%
Tomatometer
Rotten
The emotional effectiveness varies from moment to moment between not pushing too hard or simply not pulling hard enough.
William Goss, Film.com
Rotten
A dreadful exercise in navel-gazing that resides in a particularly trite corner of Pat Conroy-ville.
Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News
Rotten
A dispiriting rehash of dysfunctional family cliches that seems to last longer than Thanksgiving Day dinner.
Lou Lumenick, New York Post
Fresh
The actors are all good and a few scenes -- an opening family argument, a crucial battle when Michael finally fights back -- are painfully moving.
Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger
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