“Fire of Love” is primarily worth a look at for the astonishing archival footage of exploding volcanos, captured by two French chasers, and only secondly for the love story between the two volcano scientists. Their names are Katia and Maurice Krafft. Much like the subject of Werner Herzog’s “Grizzly Man,” Timothy Treadwell, the Kraffts pursue their passion with the knowledge that maybe one day it could also spell their demise. Miranda July's narration attempts to flesh out the Kraffts in ways that feel less substantial than what Herzog did in his masterful encapsulation of Treadwell’s twisted psyche. Sara Dosa’s documentary might not make you fully care for its doomed lovers, but she more than compensates for it by inserting some of the most astonishing volcano imagery every put on film. Try to watch this one on the big screen. [B+]
“Fire of Love” is being released in theaters next Friday, July 8th.