I'm now the proud owner of an Asian Firelight DVD.  I was a bit worried, but the judging by the quality of the disc and artwork on the sealed case, it does not appear to be a bootleg.  I guess Asia just has overstock, because the film is out-of-print everywhere else.

*spoilers ahead*

The first time I watched this, I just did a quick run-through.  Now I like it better with each viewing, but some parts require a  suspension of disbelief that exceeds my limits.   I know, I know,  here I go again,  but  how can I help thinking of these things?  Like how  the heck his wife lived for ten years without eating?   She looked a little on the thin side, but nothing like you'd expect.

Despite the disturbing sight of Charles's comatose wife and the timing of his all-too-convenient decision to "let her go", this is a sweet, heartwarming  tale of passion, love lost, and found again. It's really a beautiful film, well written and stylishly directed by William Nicholson, who also wrote the screenplays for  "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" and "Gladiator"., and it goes without saying the acting is good.

There's many references to 'firelight' throughout.  The first time Charles and Lise meet for their..uh.. business transaction, he remarks about the fire being brighter than expected.   Later on he observes how  they spend all their time within three feet of the fire, then kills his wife by extinguishing her fire and opening the window.  

Lise tells their daughter about the secret of firelight.  "It's a kind of magic. Firelight makes time stand still. When you put out the lamps and sit in the firelight's glow, there aren't any rules any more.  When the fire goes out, everything you did will be forgotten."

Day One:  Strictly business	Sophie stoically endures the session....
Day Two:  She seems quite transported!
Day Three: a picture's worth a thousand words. ( I adjusted the color in these shots because I got tired of the orange)	In a bizarre twist, Sophie fakes NOT having an orgasm!
"For a moment there, I thought you...uh..."	"Enjoyed it? No, I didn't."  I think she did. Who wouldn't?
	She tracks them down seven years later.
"This is my wife. I tell her everything."	I won't even go there...
	Note to self:  Clean the damn windows!
	This is absolutely my favorite part. Passing in the hall, they can't help touching each other. Their hands slowly intertwine with such yearning and eroticism it was palpable.   Nice touch, Mr. Nicholson.