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
