by Sarah Salas

Created on: February 21, 2009

Hollywood is filled with talented children who show up in science fiction films. Usually children play minor roles or supporting characters. One of the most famous child actors of all time, Drew Barrymore, breaks that tradition, playing the leading role in the movie Firestarter. It is arguable the best (although perhaps not most well-known) performances by a child actor in a science fiction movie.

Firestarter was an adaptation of the Stephen King novel by the same name. The story revolves around a young girl who can start fires with her mind and often has trouble controlling her powers. Charlie is on the run from government agents who want to harness the girl's awesome powers throughout most of the film. Charlie has the dual dilemma of being an eight year old struggling to find a way to live with the things she is capable of, and also trying to find a way to control the fire-starting force that lives inside her.

The heart and soul of the film come from Charlie's interaction with her father. With her mother deceased, Charlie's father is her whole world. Barrymore brings out the big guns in the scenes with David Keith (Her father), tugging on heartstrings one moment and blowing up things the next. It is the mixture of innocent girl and raw power that gives the movie its meat and Barrymore shows tremendous acting range.

While the movie itself is mediocre, Barrymore is a tour de force. Throughout the film she brings the young character "Charlie" McGee to life with frightening realism. Her presence is commanding, and she controls every scene she appears in. She also managers to show Charlie's vulnerability and frustration with her horrifying "gift" with a touching authenticity. She manages to make somewhat overblown action sequences poignant.

Barrymore is delivers a performance well above her eight years. The quality of her performance is even greater when one contrasts "Charlie" to "Gertie," the sweet innocent character Barrymore played in ET, released just a year and a half prior. Critics, who panned the movie, were quick to point out that Barrymore gave a spot-on performance. In 1985, Barrymore was nominated for a "Best Performance by a Younger Actor" at the Saturn awards for her performance in Firestarter.

While Drew Barrymore may or may not have lived up to the potential she shows in Firestarter (and ET as well), there is no denying that she was a gifted actress in Firestarter, and gave an unforgettable performance. One of the best of all time from a child in a sci-fi film.

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