Flowers in the Attic

Flowers in the Attic, a 2014 film adaptation directed by Deborah Chow, is a haunting tale of melancholy, innocence lost, familial complexities, and twisted dynastic secrets. Featuring a stellar cast led by Heather Graham, Ellen Burstyn, Kiernan Shipka, and Mason Dye, this movie brings to life the disturbing yet compelling novel written by V. C. Andrews in 1979.

Unfolding primarily within the stifling confines of an extensive, illustrious mansion, Flowers in the Attic spins a tale depicting the bleak, uncanny plight of four siblings. Heather Graham, portraying the ethereal Corrine Dollanganger, is a recently widowed mother who finds herself in a desperate situation. Her husband's sudden death leaves her with mounting debts and four young children to care for – Cathy (Kiernan Shipka), Chris (Mason Dye), and twins Carrie and Cory.

Perplexed and anxious about their future, the distressed mother seeks refuge in the only place left for her to go, the opulent home of her estranged parents. Ellen Burstyn, in her chillingly impressive performance as the domineering matriarch Olivia Foxworth, invokes a palpable sense of dread and cold-hearted ruthlessness. The children swiftly realise that their seemingly hesitant return to the familial fold is not greeted with the warmth and love they anticipated.

Namely, the grandeur and opulence of their grandparents' mansion ironically reflect a prison-like existence for the Dollanganger children. The bewildering circumstances within which they find themselves change their lives drastically. The once close-knit siblings are forced to dwell in the attic of the sprawling house, kept out of sight and away from the outside world. Despite their seemingly hopeless circumstances, they strive to create an almost normal life for themselves in their small, confined world through unconditional sibling love and relentless hope.

Kiernan Shipka and Mason Dye present compelling performances as the older siblings, Cathy and Chris. Their characters mature rapidly, hampered by the ceiling of circumstance that keeps them trapped. Cathy and Chris assume pseudo-parental roles as they try to make sense of their situation, exploring the boundaries of love, loyalty, and survival, often blurring the lines of their relationship in an environment that knows no normalcy.

To make matters worse, they are victim to their grandmother’s strict, often cruel, system of rules and infractions. Olivia Foxworth's moral rigidity, combined with a deep-seated resentment towards her daughter Corrine and her offspring, leads to even more horrifying revelations. The children are, however, obliviously hanging on to the hope of eventual liberation as promised by their seemingly sympathetic but distant mother.

Corrine’s character, played by Heather Graham, transforms dramatically throughout the film. From a nurturing and adoring mother to one who becomes entrapped in the allure of wealth and status, the evolution of her character tests the limits of maternal bonds and familial loyalty. Graham's portrayal infuses Corrine with a complexity that is at times difficult to comprehend, enhancing the mysterious aura that shrouds her and her actions.

Since this is a film adaptation, Deborah Chow accomplishes an impressive feat by retaining the novel's feature elements while also adapting it to meet modern cinematic expectations. Some creative liberties were taken to make the circumstances more palpable and appealing to viewers who have not read the original work. Under Chow’s adept direction, the events, which might otherwise have seemed unimaginable, are depicted with a chilling and authentic fervour.

The atmosphere of the film is thick with growing despair yet embellished by a morbid sense of curiosity. It succeeds in making the viewers feel a part of the hushed maze-like mansion, traverse the labyrinth of secrets, and share the innocent longing of these trapped children for freedom and normalcy.

The cinematography and production design play critical roles in constructing the oppressive, claustrophobic setting of the mansion and attic which are paradoxically set within an affluent backdrop. Use of contrasting light and shadow successfully creates a palpable mood of suspense and impending dread.

These elements only serve to accentuate the central themes of Flowers in The Attic- family, betrayal, deceit, tender and malevolent love, and the complexities of the human heart. It's a powerful, uneasy exploration of the lines people cross when pressured by desperation and fear. Audiences should prepare to embark on a haunting journey that plunges them into the depth of darkness that sometimes dwells within stately homes behind golden doors.