Fireflies in the Garden

American Indie films about middle class family dysfunction seem to be ten-a-penny in recent years, and I must say I was slightly disappointed by this starry first feature by Dennis Lee-
Fireflies in the Garden (2008) has Ryan Reynolds as novelist Michael Taylor, who reluctantly returns home for a family celebration. However, when he arrives at the family home he finds the scene of a car accident that has just killed his mother, Lisa (Julia Roberts), and devastated his emotionally domineering father, Charlie (Willem Dafoe).As Michael struggles to reconnect with his grieving father, he rediscovers his friendship with his kindly aunt Jane (Emily Watson), while flashbacks show the pair as children (played very well by Cayden Boyd and Hayden Panettiere) growing up under Charlie's ultra-strict rules. Meanwhile, Michael uncovers some shocking secrets about Lisa and things are further complicated by the unexpected arrival of Michael's recently estranged wife, Kelly (Carrie-Ann Moss).
Have you got all that? yeap not a real bag of laughs but some of the themes explored ( for example;- how unhappiness and abuse colours all of your memories, even the good ones) will resonate with most of the film's audience I am sure.
The problem with Fireflies in the Garden is not the performances (which are fine), it is the film's lack of dramatic power and the glossing over of more interesting stories (such as the slightly odd relationship between Michael and his young aunt) which let the whole thing down just a little.
Having said that Ryan Reynolds plays wide and loose as the grieving son and Emily Watson is in typical strong form as the big hearted aunt.

I took Janet to the scala, and she quite enjoyed the film, although some of the film's family dysfunctional themes did make her feel just a little "uncomfortable".
7/10