Flowers in the Attic: The Origin - Episode One Review

Eight years after Lifetime first adapted the notorious Dollanganger saga for the screen, the gothic horror family sagas of V.C. Andrews and her ghostwriter Andrew Neiderman have been adapted since - these adaptations have included standalone psychological thriller My Sweet Audrina, the complete Casteel saga (Heaven, Dark Angel, Fallen Hearts, Gates of Paradise and Web of Dreams) and the Landry saga (Ruby, Pearl in the Mist, All That Glitters and Hidden Jewel).

Now Lifetime have returned to the infamous attic with the adaptation of Andrew Neiderman’s first ghostwritten V.C. Andrews novel. The Flowers in the Attic prequel Garden of Shadows - under the new title Flowers in the Attic: The Origin for the screen adaptation - is told from Olivia’s perspective before she became the Grandmother who locks her grandchildren in an attic.

Jeminia Rooper gives a stellar performance as Olivia, a role that has been played previously by Louise Fletcher and Academy Award Nominee Ellen Burstyn. However, this is the first time we’ve seen Olivia’s origin story or her younger years portrayed on screen.

Part One of the series is written by Paul Sciarrotta and directed by Declan O'Dwyer, both of whom perfectly encapsulate the gothic horror tones of the franchise. Here we see Olivia Winfield give up her career, her home and her name to become Mrs. Malcolm Foxworth, the wife of the nation's wealthiest man. However, she soon realises that life at Foxworth Hall is far from the fairy tale she imagined it would be.

Throughout this episode, there were little Easter Eggs and clever foreshadowing of events from the previous Dollanganger books/films - or future if we’re thinking chronologically. One in particular was my personal favourite during Olivia’s exploration of the attic, which foreshadows the conclusion of Seeds of Yesterday. I’ll let die hard VCA discover these for themselves.

Max Irons plays the charismatic but sinister and twisted Malcolm Foxworth. I believe he embodied the physicality of the role, but there were noticeable moments where his accent slipped from his character’s strong Virginian accent to a more undistinguished American dialect. This was a considerable minor criticism, especially when as a whole he played the character considerably well - especially in the episode’s final confrontation. That was his and Rooper’s best scene.

As the title suggests, this episode primarily focuses on the courtship and marriage of Olivia and Malcolm. The scenes that set up the courtship and slowing how Malcolm swept Olivia off her feet. For any viewers who didn’t know Olivia’s fate in Petals on the Wind, it could almost make you believe you’re watching a period romance rather than a horror.

It’s not until they are legally man and wife that we see Malcolm’s facade slip and his true nature revealed. Malcolm’s unhealthy relationship towards women becomes more apparent in the days after their wedding. He claims it’s rooted in his abandonment issues stemmed from when his mother left, but his obsession with his mother (and for women who are nothing like his mother) present themselves in emotional abuse and forcing himself onto his wife. These darker scenes were particularly difficult to watch, because we have become invested in Olivia’s character and the show didn’t shy away from the psychological aftermath of living with an abusive husband nor the fact Olivia was trapped in a marriage she didn’t want to be in.

These darker scenes were contrasted with the ensemble cast, which delved into some interesting aspects that weren't in the book. As we aren’t limited to strictly Olivia’s perspective, we see the inner lives of her staff (played excellently by Kate Mulgrew and T'Shan Williams) and the extended Foxworth and Winfield families.

Despite the age gap between Garland and Alicia, Kelsey Grammer and Alana Boden had perfect chemistry and their characters’ relationship contrasted Olivia and Malcolm’s on many levels. Grammer embodied his character’s southern charm and Boden brought depth and a maturity to all of her scenes.

The same can be said for both Harry Hamlin and Paul Wesley. Hamlin had terrific chemistry with his onscreen daughter and I found myself wishing the pair had more scenes together. Wesley’s portrayal of John Amos was an interesting take, he brought surprising vulnerability to a character who is anything but - if you’ve read the books or seen If There Be Thorns, it’s difficult to imagine Amos as someone with humble beginnings.

As the lies, deceit and abuse within Foxworth Hall reaches horrifying lengths, Olivia decides to take action - devising a plan that she believes will save the family, but will actually condemn them. In a scene that was satisfying to watch on many levels, viewers got a chance to see the power dynamic shift between this wife and her twisted husband.

In my opinion, this is one of the strongest V.C. Andrews adaptations to date and a brilliant first episode overall. From the stellar performances, eerily cinematography and compelling writing - this will appeal to both long term fans of the gothic horror novelist and newcomers to the franchise.

My rating for Flowers in the Attic: The Origin - Episode One “Marriage” is ★★★★½.