Film struggles to balance its past-present memory drama and a rather standard take on an American immigrant family. Although accented by fine cinematic flourishes, pic is harmed by an abrupt conclusion and technical glitches.
50
New York PostLou Lumenick
New York PostLou Lumenick
Essentially a more awkward Afghan version of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding."
50
TV Guide MagazineMaitland McDonagh
TV Guide MagazineMaitland McDonagh
Unfortunately, this flawed but interesting film will be Wassel's only legacy; the director was murdered in 2001 by Nathan C. Powell, who helped finance this film.
50
The Hollywood ReporterFrank Scheck
The Hollywood ReporterFrank Scheck
Unfortunately, the back story behind FireDancer is ultimately more interesting than the finished product, a thematically ambitious but rough-hewn combination of love story and examination of cultural dislocation.
40
Village VoiceEd Park
Village VoiceEd Park
Grim headlines aside, FireDancer is hard to recommend, with its haphazard tone, wobbly acting, and cipher-like lead.
38
New York Daily NewsJack Mathews
New York Daily NewsJack Mathews
Whether Jawed Wassel could have made more of it with further editing we'll never know, but it's a clunky bit of storytelling.