Petals on the Wind (2014)

Don't listen to the negative reviews

Better Late Then Never

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

The acting in this movie is really good.

it is only a drawing. more superficial by the first part. more out of minimalistic logic, made for impress, using soap opera recipes for easy effect. Heather Graham looking save the film, the old themes in not most inspired formula, the beautiful young people who continue a war against the past, the taboos as glass shield , the unrealistic solutions for a battle who remains only cruel, almost sadistic. the basic problem - it could be a better adaptation. but the first part not gives high expectations. and that does to see Petals on the Wind as another exercise to transform a series in an easy thriller , exploring only the skin of the book. it could be better. that is the only verdict. but each film has its target. so... Petals on the Wind.

The first story in this Dollanganger series was disturbing enough especially the incestuous nature of the storyline. The children have escaped the attic at Foxworth Hall and survived with the help and kindness of Dr. Sheffield. At the beginning of the film, we see his funeral where Cathy had brought the audience up to date. Cathy and her brother Christopher still have a disturbing attachment to each other. The younger sister Carrie never recovered from losing her twin brother Cory. Cathy, Chris, and Carrie have not forgotten the attic nor their mother and grandmother. I have to say the best part of this film is Ellen Burstyn's performance. Even at the end, she is still worth watching. This series is a lot more faithful to the V.C. Andrews' Gothic novel series. It is shocking and disturbing especially the incest element. I'll miss Ellen Burstyn though as the grandmother.

Petals on the Wind is the second installment of Lifetime's V.C. Andrews Flowers in the Attic series. It picks up ten years after the kids escape from the dreaded Foxworth manor, and you see that they have grown into the Dresden Dolls that they were always meant to be, but they still cannot escape all that the attic turned them into or the storm that is brewing because of it.The story is slightly altered and rearranged from the original narrative but the essence of the story, struggle and characters are all there in full. Cathy (Rose McIver) and Chris (Wyatt Nash) are grown with the careers they've always wanted, but are still trying to overcome their attraction to each other. They know it's wrong and you (the viewer) know it's wrong but we're all rooting for love to win out. The movie really pulls you in and you laugh and pout as the ensuing tale unravels. Ellen Burstyn once again shows the sympathetic side to the evil old woman and McIver does a fine job showing the resentment and passion that Cathy could not hide. (Nash was a bit unfeeling as Christopher, but he looked the part spectacularly) This movie was not as well written or acted as the first installment but at this point you don't really care because you are already invested in what happens to these unfortunate kids. The twists, manipulations and corruptions throughout it are funny, shocking, sad and inevitable all at once. It's a fine sequel that does justice to the continuing tale. 7/10

I've read this series several times and had my reservations that the film could be as riveting as the novels. And this being the second in the series further made me leery. But it was all for no reason.... all this film was intriguing from start to finish. Heather Grahams role is done so well and really brings a lot to the screen and her character. This is such a sad horrifying story that is sad and compelling as much as it is horrifying. It dares to bring what many feel are taboo or shocking subjects....child abuse.....incest.....romantic triangles....I loved this and am hoping for the third book to be made into a movie. Well done and highly recommended .