If There Be Thorns (2015) Reviews

• Chip Off the Old Block

  wes-connors2015-04-16

  The brother and sister duo locked up in an attic during their "coming of age" returns for a third "Flowers in the Attic" (2014) series movie; having spent their "Petals on the Wind" having sex and coming to terms with their honest, albeit incestuous, relationship. Another set of actors take over the parts, blond doctor Jason Lewis and blonde ballet teacher Rachael Carpani (as Christopher "Chris" and Cathy Dollanganger). It's now the 1980s and, to avoid scandal, the couple have changed their name to "Sheffield" and are raising two sons (hers) aka two nephews (his). The oldest is this film's entry in the crowded "shirtless hunk" character sweepstakes, attractive blond Jedidiah Goodacre (as Jory). His brother is moody, dark-haired pre-teen Mason Cook (as Bart)... Rough-looking butler Mackenzie Gray (as John Amos) is an asset... This story, and the next (possibly final) installment, changes focus from Chris and Cathy to their kids. What happens is that the sons' grandmother Heather Graham (as Corrine Foxworth) secretly moves into the mansion next door to her offspring. Like she did in the other movies, Ms. Graham causes trouble. She mainly cozies up with young Cook, who gradually reveals himself to be a chip off the old block. Graham is fine, but should have applied some old age make-up; she looks like she could be playing her daughter. Everyone does well for director Nancy Savoca, but it's Cook as the kid who convincingly carries the story. To improve the story, the Gothic suggestion that young Cook is possessed by evil ancestor Malcolm Foxworth should have been more clearly developed. ***** If There Be Thorns (4/5/15) Nancy Savoca ~ Mason Cook, Heather Graham, Jedidiah Goodacre, Jason Lewis

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• The best installment...

  Falconeer2015-04-08

  After the disappointing "Petals On the Wind" production, my expectations for this third chapter of the Dollanganger series, were compromised. But the creators of this latest film mostly redeem themselves, with this creepy, slickly produced story about the "seeds of evil," that are being planted inside Cathy's youngest son, Bart Sheffield. This wonderfully Gothic story deals with the systematic corruption of a child, who already has the blood of a fairly ruthless father. The cold and calculating Bart Winslow was a morally corrupt attorney that Cathy seduces away from her selfish, calculating mother, Corrine. The creepy old woman who moves into the mansion next door to Cathy, her incestuous brother Chris and their two boys, has a dark secret. Behind the lace veil, Corrine Winslow is hiding, and she is planning on making a play at getting her family back. She is particularly interested in young Bart, and she sees him as the "son that should have been hers." And Bart, alone and awkward, is particularly susceptible to the mysterious woman's attentions. Under the tutelage of Corrine, and her sinister butler, John Amos, Bart is taught a fanatical religious ideology. And the love he has for his mother and father is poisoned by them both. For a story with such dark tones, Lifetime television actually did a nice job. The film succeeds at being atmospheric and downright creepy. Of course all the usual flaws are present, mainly some of the acting being pretty awful at times, and some dialog is awkward and even preposterous. But the entire film rests on the shoulders of the young actor who plays Bart. This kid is really excellent, and he absolutely elevates this movie to a higher level. His acting abilities are so strong that they make the rest of the cast look bad. They all look the part of course; Cathy and Chris are soap opera-perfect blond dolls, and the actor who plays Jory is gorgeous. Purists will complain that Jory's hair isn't black, like that of his father Julian, but it is a minor issue. Disturbing scenes, like the killing of the dog, and the one with Bart and Cindy by the pool, are not shied away from, which makes this one a bit too intense for very young viewers. Of course a series with the subject of incest is not aimed at young audiences anyway. "If There Be Thorns" is, so far the best film in the series. Of course my opinion might be biased as this was my personal favorite book in the series. It is also one of the best things Lifetime has ever done. At times this has the look of a theatrical production, and not a TV movie. My enthusiasm for the series has been renewed, and I am looking forward to the final installment, "Seeds of Yesterday." I'm hoping it is as Gothic and as evil as this one.

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• 3rd in the Dollanganger series

  SnoopyStyle2015-12-28

  Olivia Foxworth is gone and Corrine (Heather Graham) is in the mental ward. Brother and sister Cathy (Rachael Carpani) and Christopher (Jason Lewis) are now married living under the surname of Sheffield with Cathy's sons Jory and Bart. A mysterious woman moves into the mansion next door. It's Corrine and she befriends Bart keeping it a secret from Cathy, Christopher and even Jory. She starts poisoning his mind against his parents. Cathy adopts Cindy who lost her mother and has set up three beds in the attic. This starts off more or less like a horror movie. Corrine is the bogeyman with a mysterious plan against Cathy and Christopher. I would have liked the plan to be better defined and better formulated. The situation should build up until a climatic reveal of Corrine. I haven't read these books and I don't really care about them. Bart starts out too normal to be bent completely out of shape like that. The movie should start him off with a bit of disturbing behavior. I'm not sure how good is the source material. This is better than most other Lifetime movies but it is nowhere near theatrical quality.

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• very good film

  sophie_casandra2015-08-15

  This film was very good and did show the book well but I just didn't feel as drawn into this film. I do think the constant change of characters are confusing and they all seem new again even through they only look different. I understand they do this to show they have aged but with make up I believe you could have done that to the previous Chris and Cathy as I think they were much better. I did like Cathy in this film but I do not feel Chris looked like what he should in the books. They are meant to be the 'Dresden Dolls' but I think it is Chris' hair maybe, he just does not fit the Doll. I do think the children fit very well though. Apart from that the film was enjoyable I just wouldn't be in a rush to watch it again. :)

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• 'Thorns' is better than the other two films by a long shot

  arussell232015-06-08

  Oh, how I didn't miss this messed up family. Welcome, guys, to my review of the third (out of four) film in the Dollanganger saga. This time, Cathy and Chris are recast (again) and they have kids this time! Let's see if the film series has learned from it's mistakes of Petals on the Wind, or if it will go further down the rabbit hole. This is... ...If There Be Thorns. If There Be Thorns mainly follows the Dollanganger family several years after the end of Petals on the Wind, as their lives have finally fallen into a sense of normalcy. Things change quickly as a new woman moves in next door - and surprise, it's Corrine! Bart makes fast friends with her, and after the butler gives him his grandfather's journal, he starts making his way down a path that could lead to destruction. This is probably the best film of the Dollanganger series so far, and I do mean that. Flowers in the Attic was good, but it had a lot of problems that made it annoying to watch at times. Petals on the Wind was just mediocre, which is one of the worst things you can say about a movie. This movie, however, this movie is more special. At first, I didn't think this was going to be a good entry, but man, was I wronger than I've ever been before. Let's talk about the plot for a minute, because this plot is the most entertaining thing about the movie, along with the script. We meet Cathy and Chris's kids, Jory and Bart. Bart is the best child, because his storyline is so deliciously complicated. I won't spoil it, but it is so complicated that you find yourself wondering if Bart has something truly wrong with him, and it's so intriguing to try and puzzle it out. Oh, and one more thing, what the hell is this series's obsession with fire? The script is great too. Bart's borderline multiple personality disorder shines through, and some of the conversations he has with other adults and his own brother are downright chilling. A lot of the scenes have tension to them, and of course that wouldn't be possible without the acting. The acting is really superb from all, but most of all Mason Cook, who plays Bart. If Bart had been played by a shitty child actor, the grade would have dropped to a B or B-, I'm sure of it. But since he was played by such an amazing child actor, the personality traits that are meant to be shown shine through, and it works just so beautifully. One of the best parts of the entire film comes from a scene in which Bart gets angry at his adopted sister and does something that I won't spoil, and the scene that comes afterwards is probably one of the best in the entire series. The other actors did great too, though Heather Graham, who plays Corrine, is the one I was the most upset about. She didn't feel like she did in the other films, she felt cold and distant, like she was only in it for the paycheck this time around. Other actors, including newcomers to the roles of Cathy and Chris, Jason Lewis and Rachael Carpani are really good, and probably the best in the series so far. Overall, this is a very solid entry to the Dollanganger series. I enjoyed the film immensely, and while I still have some issues with how this series was built, this is the best in the series and one I would love to watch again. 9/10. Grade: A-

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