Flowers in the Attic (2014)

After the sudden death of their father, four children face cruel treatment from their ruthless grandmother.

Director:

Deborah Chow

Writers:

Virginia C. Andrews (based upon the novel by) (as V.C. Andrews), Kayla Alpert (teleplay by)

Stars:

Heather Graham, Ellen Burstyn, Kiernan Shipka

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Heather Graham	...	Corrine
Ellen Burstyn	...	Grandmother
Kiernan Shipka	...	Cathy
Mason Dye	...	Christopher
Ava Telek	...	Carrie
Maxwell Kovach	...	Cory
Dylan Bruce	...	Bart Winslow
Chad Willett	...	Dad
Beau Daniels	...	Mr. Foxworth
Laura Jaye	...	Female Guest
John Emmet Tracy	...	Male Guest
Don Thompson	...	Conductor
BJ Harrison	...	Sarah
Ian Robison	...	Police Officer
Andrew Kavadas	...	John

Storyline

Based on V.C. Andrews' controversial cult-classic novel, "Flowers in the Attic" tells the story of the Dollanganger kids who, after the unexpected death of their father, are coerced to stay hidden in the attic of their ruthless grandmother.

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Plot Keywords:

attic | brother sister incest | child abuse | abusive mother | first of series | 

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Genres:

Drama | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

TV-14

Details

Official Sites:

Lifetime [United States]

Country:

Canada USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 January 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

Flowers in the Attic

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cue the Dog Productions, Front Street Pictures, Side Street Post

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Based on a book written by V.C. Andrews, "Flowers in the Attic" first in a set of five novels. The Dollanganger series is told through four movies, one for each book of the same title: "Flowers in the Attic", followed by "Petals on the Wind", "If There Be Thorns" and then "Seeds of Yesterday". The fifth and last book of the saga "Garden of Shadows" takes place before the "Flowers in the Attic" events. No movie came of it (January 2017).

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Goofs

When Corrine brings a box of toys to the kids in the attic (after sailing), a Simon electronic game box is clearly visible in the wooden box.

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Quotes

Grandmother: [to Christopher] Take off your shirt, boy.

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Connections

Featured in Chelsea Lately: Episode #8.10 (2014)

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Soundtracks

'Le Cygne' from Le Carnaval des Animaux
(uncredited)
Written by Camille Saint-Saëns

User Reviews

Blond on Blonde

An idealized, idyllic and seemingly wealthy 1950s family of six is suddenly hit with great tragedy. Stripped of their material goods, the family must move into an isolated Gothic mansion. In Virginia, "Foxworth Hall" matriarch Ellen Burstyn (as Olivia) gives them a frosty welcome. She insists the "four beautiful children with blonde hair and porcelain skin" must live in the attic, because their ailing grandfather disapproves of their existence. Conniving mother Heather Graham (as Corrine Foxworth-Dollanganger) hopes to inherit her father's estate, but must keep her children a secret until the old man dies. Increasingly neglected in the attic, the eldest children struggle to care for the younger twins as skeletons fall out of the mansion's closets...

Ending with awkward abruptness, this is the first in a series of "Lifetime" TV movies based on Virginia C. Andrews' popular stories. A previous feature film cut subplots involving incest from the story, but this version includes the incestuous feelings. The "taboo" subject was an important part of the original novel, but it doesn't translate well. When we first see two of the characters in question, they have clearly experienced the "body changing" developments latter referred to in the script. They talk about school and appear at a well-attended party (unlike the novel). Since sexual interest has begun, their attraction is more difficult to accept. In most school settings, the top physical condition of these two would not go unnoticed by most classmates...

Attractively proportioned co-stars Kiernan Shipka (as Cathy) and Mason Dye (as Christopher) handle the leading roles better than expected. Still, when he gives her a cool "punk" hairstyle, we wonder who cuts and shaves Mr. Dye's always neatly trimmed hair. The young stars and director Deborah Chow excel in reaction shots. In the supporting roles, Ms. Graham and Ms. Burstyn are engaging. Graham's character is cast to the wind, unfortunately; to really impress, she needed a couple more scenes. Possibly at her own insistence, Burstyn's character is more fully realized; this actress brings something extra to the role and is more intuitive about the medium. The six producers had to be happy with art/set direction and Miroslaw Baszak's photography.

****** Flowers in the Attic (1/18/14) Deborah Chow ~ Kiernan Shipka, Mason Dye, Ellen Burstyn, Heather Graham