Petals on the Wind – Retrospective. Sex, Revenge, and Double The Drama.

Air Date: Monday, May 26, 2014 on Lifetime

Rating: ★★★★★

Before you cozy up to the television to watch Lifetime’s original movie Petals on the Wind (based on V.C. Andrews’ sequel to her controversial novel “Flowers in the Attic”), make sure to keep an open mind because the movie Flowers in the Attic is nothing compared to the amount of jaw dropping, ball of crazy happening in Petals on the Wind. As the sequel, Petals on the Wind does justice to the book of the same name with plenty of twists to keep your attention. Since the announcement of the sequel, viewers and fans alike have speculated on whether Petals on the Wind would be as explicit onscreen as it is in the book. Will the ongoing controversial relationship between siblings Cathy (Rose McIver) and Chris (Wyatt Nash) Dollanganger become intimate once more? If you have seen the heated promotional trailers, the answer is yes. Yes, they go there big time — but not without consequence.

Book vs. Movie

Cathy ponders her future with the past looking right back at herBook vs. Movie

Screenwriter Kayla Alpert does a wonderful job adapting the book to the small screen with precision and heart, trimming down excessive storylines to shape a more cohesive story. Although there are some clear changes from the book, it is a smart and necessary move in order to pull the core story together without dragging its feet. For example, the all too close relationship Cathy develops with 40-something Dr. Paul Sheffield in the book is absent from the movie. Sheffield is only referenced in Petals on the Wind; however, his relationship with the Dollanganger siblings in the book is more in-depth. Of course, that storyline alone would make up half the movie, and the only way it could be done successfully is to shorten this complex relationship. There is also the plight of the youngest sibling Carrie (Bailey Buntain), who remains traumatized by the abuse she suffered at the hands of her grandmother Olivia Foxworth (Ellen Burstyn) while trapped in the attic with her siblings. Carrie’s part in Petals on the Wind is a harrowing journey where she fights against bullies at school while struggling against her own insecurities. It’s unfortunate we don’t see more of Carrie’s life while at school apart from her interaction with the mean girls. The depression Carrie experiences in the book isn’t a focal point in the movie; however, her actions in how she ultimately deals with her inner demons remain pretty accurate.

Chris and Cathy finalize their plan.

In the Dollanganger book series, the story is often told through Cathy’s perspective; however, onscreen it’s more challenging. By allowing some breaks in the narrative and adding some new characters like Chris’ girlfriend Sarah (Whitney Hoy), we get a good parallel to Cathy’s own journey.

Many devoted fans might be disappointed by the alterations and omissions of certain scenes within the book, in particular the ending. Yet, considering how the complex and expansive storylines move throughout the book, adapting them into a teleplay would inevitably have some minor flaws. The main question, and the most important one, is whether the changes add or detract from the story. I think not. Many of the hardline turning points in the book match the movie evenly, producing some thrilling scenes and memorable moments. Considering Petals on the Wind has never been realized onscreen, this is a solid attempt to bring this part of Andrews’ series to life.

No Ordinary Love

Going back to the major plot point, the forbidden love between Cathy and Chris, despite the taboo subject of incest, their relationship isn’t just about romance or sexual exploration. It’s more about how trauma and circumstances can shape relationships they form. If Cathy and Chris were not ignorant about sex, and had experienced a healthy childhood, perhaps we might have seen something different. I love how they fight temptation and make an effort to move past their feelings even if it becomes a futile attempt.

Julian and Cathy dance as Romeo and Juliet.

In addition, we get a look into the world of ballet. Cathy winds up being not only center stage but caught in an insane dysfunctional relationship with Julian Marquet (Will Kemp), a ballet dancer who lures Cathy to New York. At first, their love scenes are intense, and surprisingly explicit. Later, Cathy and Julian’s relationship takes on all the qualities of an after-school special about abusive relationships with Julian apologizing for hurting Cathy.

Then, there’s Chris, who despite having a sweet girlfriend, divine good looks, and a noble profession as a doctor, continues to harbor dark feelings for his sister. He indulges in a cookie cutter relationship but you can see he’s living a lie. One of my favorite lines comes from his girlfriend Sarah Reeves — who is also his boss’ daughter. “I think it’s really sweet how much you really love your sister.” Something in that moment, when Chris tells her about visiting Cathy in New York for a ballet recital just makes his façade crumble. Maybe Sarah is also in denial but Chris doesn’t have much of a poker face where his feelings for Cathy are concerned.

Keeping Up With the Dollangangers

Petals on the Wind would not be the same without Corrine (Heather Graham), the Dollangangers’ mother, and their evil grandmother Olivia. I love the way the underlying subplot explores how the mother/daughter relationships steer the course of events, not only in this movie but all throughout the Dollanganger book series. Secondary to the main love story is the focus on revenge, or rather, Cathy’s determination to avenge the wrongs done to her and her siblings by their mother.

Bad Grandmother Olivia is never one to miss out on a good party or drama!

I was not prepared to feel sympathy for Corrine after her actions in Flowers in the Attic; however, she shows signs of remorse coupled with severe denial in Petals on the Wind. Does she bury her feelings so deeply she’s starting to believe her own lies? Is her rejection of her children more than just cruelty, or is it a product of past traumas? Graham has a better hold on depicting Corrine this time around. I like how we witness the extent of Corrine’s broken mental state through a series of meltdowns. But then, you see how badly she rejects Carrie and you can’t help but root for Cathy’s insane plan to ruin their mother.

There are some heightened dramatic scenes worth noting. A scene between Cathy and Olivia, which is not in the book, adds a nice touch, and provides some satisfaction. C’mon, who doesn’t want to see Cathy tell her grandmother to shove it after everything that happened in the attic? But it’s Olivia’s response to Cathy’s angry words that hits hard. Olivia says it with such bitterness and hate, you can almost hear her cackle. But, like most of Andrews’ books, there are no real happy endings, just sobering truths.

Olivia: “You can always leave Foxworth Hall, but you can never escape this family.”

When Cathy’s plan to seduce her stepfather, thereby hurting her mother, ends up in flames (literally), you have to wonder whether it was all worth it.

Overall

Ultimately, Petals on the Wind depicts a twisted tale of survival and endurance that goes beyond the subject of forbidden relationships. Among the movie’s strengths are the cast. Graham and Burstyn, as their respective characters Corrine and Olivia Foxworth, are scene stealers with their sharp delivery of dialogue and intense confrontations. New cast members McIver, Nash, and Buntain are spot on as the much older Dollanganger children, both in appearance and their character portrayals.

Since the world premiere of Petals on the Wind on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26 on Lifetime, the results have come in at an astounding 3.4 million viewership, marking this as Lifetime’s most watched original movie of the year! Love it or hate it, there’s something about V.C. Andrews’ scandalous series of books that continues to hit a nerve with the public.

Be sure to check out my interview with Petals on the Wind screenwriter Kayla Alpert where she talks about her process in bringing Andrews’ story to life, as well as her unexpected cameo in the movie.

Also remember to visit, like, and follow:

Official website: http://www.mylifetime.com/movies/petals-on-the-wind

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lifetime.

Twitter: Kayla Alpert (@kaylaalpert), Petals on the Wind (@lifetimemovies) using hashtag #PetalsOnTheWind. You can also follow these cast members: Heather Graham (@imheathergraham), Rose McIver (@imrosemciver), and Wyatt Nash ‏(@TheWyattNash).