‘Firestarter’ (1984) has book’s plot but none of its heat 

“Firestarter” will get a remake later this month, and watching the original “Firestarter” (1984) it’s clear it needs one. As adapted by Stanley Mann, the ’84 film is too faithful to Stephen King’s excellent 1980 novel, to the point that nothing seems genuine and organic. 

Drawing on Drew

Famously, “Firestarter” stars Drew Barrymore, who has the remarkable knack for looking the same throughout her life. Charlie McGee looks like a miniature version of how the actress now looks, and that’s appropriate because she’s asked to grow up too fast.  

In some ways, “Firestarter” is a spiritual successor to 1982’s “E.T.”; there’s even a scene with hazmat-suit-clad men. But Barrymore isn’t so precocious here. This is a stiffer, less natural performance under the direction of Mark L. Lester. 

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David Keith is much better-looking than the shlub Andy McGee of the book. And as I expected from this mostly daylit film – which has a proto-“X-Files” story but none of the vibe – Andy is not so troubled by his headaches as in the novel. He gets nosebleeds when using his mind-warp powers. 

In a remarkably lazy piece of makeup work, George C. Scott plays John Rainbird without any prosthetics showing his facial scarring from the Vietnam War. He sometimes wears an unneeded eyepatch for the sake of theoretically scaring Charlie.  

This is absurd because she has seen people burned alive at her own pyrokinetic glare, which is illustrated by close-ups of her eyes, in the same style as “Carrie.” 

Nothing sparks

The fieriest performance comes from Martin Sheen as The Shop’s leader, but it’s out of sync with the three low-key lead performances. Sheen aggressively tries to sell Captain Hollister’s enthusiasm over Charlie’s powers. 

“Firestarter’s” pyrotechnics and action are somewhere between cartoony and cinematic – basic wide shots showing the practical effects and stunts. 

Sometimes Mann’s faithful approach makes for confusing viewing. Rainbird kills a random guy in his introduction to the audience. This is a great scene under King’s pen but it lacks meaning for a filmgoer who hasn’t read the book. Although fascinating in the book, Rainbird’s obsession with killing Charlie in order to see the life leave her eyes is odd and underdeveloped on the screen. 

Barrymore and Keith give warm turns as daughter and father, but no other relationships or interactions spark. There’s no tension to the McGee’s evasion of The Shop’s agents nor to their time in captivity in underground cells that resemble swank apartments. 

Even though the plot is identical, everything is so much more vibrant in the book. King’s “Firestarter” glows thanks to its details. Mann should have supplied more kindling. Perhaps the 2022 version will reignite the flame. 

On Fridays, RFMC reviews a Stephen King book, adaptation or related work. Click here to visit our Stephen King Zone.