Fireflies (2004 TV Movie) User Reviews

Fire services and drama

[StupidChris · 7 August 2009]

As a firefighter, I really enjoyed this series. I think it captures the essence of volunteer fire service provision, as well as the actual firefighting itself, very accurately. Firefighting can be very emotional, especially during campaign firefighting in the summer.

Other commenters should also be aware that volunteer fire services respond to all kinds of emergencies, from house fires to car accidents to chemical spills to bushfires, so it's in fact very common to be called to a fire while it's raining, let alone two days later.

From a firefighting perspective, the show was very well researched and from a dramatic perspective was enjoyable. Although the acting was at times poor (one can expect that with any TV drama series), it was on the whole pleasant to watch.

The usual suspects (spoilers)

[hexa-2 · 1/10 · 9 February 2004]

The ABC gears up it's repertory company for another unrealistic representation of rural Australia. Yes folks, it's all there Baca Bourke (Jeremy Sims,an actor of little talent) Fire hero , Lill (Libby Tanner plays Bronwyn Craig in the bush), Fifi (Nadia Townsend) town slut, preggers by Baca's brother Joe (I think). Then there's Uncle Geoff the, Big Daddy of Lost Springs. Uncle Geoff's scenes are like Tennessee Williams on speed. Only saving grace is Russian actress Natalia Novikova as Baca's loony missus. She is great. I can't understand why John Waters took the gig as Lilly's psychologist husband. Must have needed the money I expect! Still, he won't last long as Lill and Baca will be having it off toute suit. Just watch this lemon to see how bad an Aussie show can be. Frankly, I'm ashamed.

This show had a beautiful tone to it

[littlegreenx · 8/10 · 6 June 2006]

I can't understand why people disliked this show so much. Personally, I think it was beautifully shot, with complex characters that didn't always have to be likable - characters with layers, not simply god/bad like those featured on all the soaps masquerading as dramas.

This wasn't a fast-paced drama, nor did it ever pretend to be. This wasn't a formulaic cop drama or hospital drama that could sustain itself through guest stars and soap-like plotting. It didn't milk the fire fighting for the possible repetitious dramatic potential, they didn't go fire-fighting every week, they focused on developing their characters. And I'm glad they did. This wasn't one of those tired and exhausting 'quirky' 'Australian' monstrosities like The Alice or McLeod's. Thank god.

If you want a laid-back pace, complex characters and depth, then this is for you (hope for a DVD release). If you want melodrama and empty characterisation, go flick back to Home and Away and Neighbours.

reality

[yogirlfriend24 · 7/10 · 9 June 2008]

i found fireflies quite different and relatively gripping. The content within the show was intriguing because it DID show how actual bush fires can jump out at you at any time. having rain one day and then two days later there is a bushfire brewing with a km radius from your house isn't that far-fetched. Fireflies gave you truth as to what firefighters and people who live in bushfire regions go through and how they must inevitably handle themselves every day. Anyone who watched would be now more aware of what others go through and be maybe even more sympathetic to their needs and give money or offer shelter or security to people who have a endured a bush fire. Fireflies gives you a chance to relate to others you may not have known about.

Gobble, gobble, gobble......

[prose · 28 May 2004]

Yes - this show is the turkey of all shows, and on the ABC, too! I waited for this series to start early '04, and only managed to stomach about the first 5 episodes before I gave myself a break.

I can't, for the life of me, work out why such a good cast - John Waters, Libby Tanner, Jeremy Simms, Abe Forsyth, and more - agreed to help bring this to air. I've been trying to work out why it's so bad, and can't put my finger on one thing, because it's all bad! For instance, the episode shown 27/5/04 had Libby Tanner and John Waters sitting on their veranda eating and watching the rain falling, and two days later she's called out to a fire!! What?? Some of the continuity in the same episode is so bad that it's distracting.

But worst of all, the characters are unlikeable. There's not one character in this series who isn't either thick as a plank, or genuinely unpleasant, and the relationships seem to be based on lies and distrust, and a little bit of violence just to spice things up a bit.

I will not watch it again. I'd rather watch flies crawl up a wall.