“Intrepid scientists and lovers Katia and Maurice Krafft died in a volcanic explosion doing the very thing that brought them together: unraveling the mysteries of volcanoes by capturing the most explosive imagery ever recorded.” -IMDB
Unfortunately, Fire of Love is one of those films that I probably looked forward to a bit too much. I’ve been wanting to see it since its limited release over the summer and this weekend, it was finally released for streaming on Disney+. And while I can respect the sobriety with which this tragic love story is told, the film feels heavy handed at times.
The film focuses on Katia and Maurice Krafft, a couple brought together by their love of volcanoes and volcanologists. The filmmakers attempt to connect this (spoiler alert) doomed couple’s story with the fiery nature of their subject matter; however, this metaphor falls flat and begins to drag on relatively early on. Meanwhile, the film moves at such a measured pace that it is easy to be become distracted when watching from home, even with the awe-inspiring volcano footage sewn in throughout. While the narrative may have worked better with the help of its visuals on the big screen, when in the comfort of your own home, it is easy to get distracted by the slow movement of the narrative.
Overall, the tragedy at the center of this film is interesting enough to make the movie a worthwhile watch, just try not to let the filmmakers poetry get in the way of their subject’s passion.
Rating: 5 out 10 Claire Bears
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If you like this movie, you should also watch: Into the Inferno, What We Leave Behind
Streaming: Disney+
Directed By: Sara Dosa
Let Me Clarify 