Performance & Direction: Fireworks Review
Last updated: January 21, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Fireworks (2023) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.4/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Fireworks features a noteworthy lineup led by Samuele Segreto . Supported by the likes of Gabriele Pizzurro and Fabrizia Sacchi , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Fireworks (2023) is overwhelmingly positive. With an audience rating of 7.4/10, it stands as a mandatory watch for any serious cinema lover.
Story & Plot Summary: Fireworks
Quick Plot Summary: Fireworks is a Drama film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. The troubled relationship between Gianni and Nino, set in the narrow-minded and prejudicial Sicily of 1982. The screenplay takes time to develop its characters, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with their struggles and triumphs. Each scene builds upon the last, creating a cumulative emotional impact.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: We meet the main character in their ordinary world, establishing the emotional baseline before the inciting incident disrupts their life.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The emotional climax brings character arcs to their natural conclusion, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's core themes.
Ending Explained: Fireworks
Ending Breakdown: Fireworks resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Fireworks reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Fireworks?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Box Office Collection: Fireworks
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Worldwide Gross | $1.4M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Top Cast: Fireworks
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Where to Watch Fireworks Online?
Streaming HubFireworks Parents Guide & Age Rating
2023 AdvisoryWondering about Fireworks age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Fireworks is 134 minutes (2h 14m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 7.4/10, and global collection metrics, Fireworks stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2023 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fireworks worth watching?
Fireworks is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 7.4/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Fireworks parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Fireworks identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Fireworks?
The total duration of Fireworks is 134 minutes, which is approximately 2h 14m long.
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Critic Reviews for Fireworks
Intolerance against members of the gay community has long been a theme in LGBTQ+ cinema, one that has become so common that it’s indeed familiar, if not overdone. However, when it’s set in a historical context, it can be valuable for illustrating how far this segment of society has come (and in a relatively short time, too), as well as a legacy instructional tool for younger members of the community. Such is apparently the intent behind writer-director Giuseppe Fiorello’s debut feature, a sincere effort at telling the fact-based story of a pair of teenage gay men (Gabriele Pizzuro, Samuele Segreto) in 1982 Sicily who face growing prejudice and harassment from locals and family members as their relationship begins to surface publicly. It’s a bittersweet heart-tugging tale of friendship, love, courage and undue bigotry that genuinely strikes a chord of sympathy with viewers. However, with a runtime of 2:13:00, it’s also needlessly long, especially at the outset, moving by at a snail’s pace that begins to grow tiresome by the film’s middle. The film also suffers from some uneven, inconsistent character development, making one wonder where some of its unexpected shifts in tone come from. Both of these issues are not entirely unexpected in the work of a first-time filmmaker, a creator who’s still learning about knowing when to “kill one’s darlings,” an error a little more than apparent here. Admittedly, the film finishes strongly in the final act, especially in its chilling conclusion. Nevertheless, the picture could have easily been cut by about 20 minutes without losing anything, and the director would have been wise to pursue that course (perhaps he will next time). It’s unfortunate that “Fireworks” ends up getting bogged down by its own narrative in light of the strength of its story and the importance of its message. We can never be reminded too much of where we’ve been so that we can avoid going back there again – and reliving the indignities that our predecessors had to endure.
Set against a backdrop of the 1982 World Cup, this is the story of the young “Nino” (Gabriele Pizzurro) who lives in Sicily. He is regularly bullied by the villagers and it’s assumed that he is gay. Nearby, “Gianni” (Samuele Segreto) helps his father run their fireworks business, a popular enterprise that manages to capitalise on the frequent religious festivals and fairs that take place across the island. The two meet after “Nino” has had the latest in a series of arguments with his stepfather and they have a near miss on their mopeds on the mountainous roads. After their introductions, “Gianni” helps to find him work in the local quarry that’s run by his uncle “Pietro” (Roberto Salemi). As the two start to hang out together, tongues in this rather small-minded community start to wag and prejudice starts to rear its ugly head. “Nino” is close to his mother “Carmela” (Fabrizia Sacchi) and it’s her well-meant intervention with the family of his new friend that brings things to an head amidst a community riddled with bigotry and irrational hatred. The two men deliver really quite poignantly here as auteur Giuseppe Fiorello gradually allows the story to evolve into something that’s fairly predictable, but it’s an attitudinal predictably that’s the potent element of this screenplay. A community of judgmental individuals who care little for the happiness of the two youths who are discretely falling in love. Sacchi delivers a considered effort here too as a mother conflicted by thinking what’s best for her son is necessarily the same as he does. This film shines quite an indicting light on an island mentality that, here, is Sicily - but it could readily reflect a multitude of rural communities where a mix of religious beliefs and intolerance can make the lives of gay people ostracising and even perilous. The denouement is interesting as it offers us a glimpse of hope but also reminds us that jealousy isn’t one of our more glorious characteristics either. The photography makes great use of the location and the light and the story, though not the easiest of watches, allows Pizzuro and Segreto to imbue quite a degree of amiable personality into characters with whom it’s very difficult not to engage with.
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This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.










