If There Be Thorns

This one was not as strong but still enjoyable as part of the series. I felt like the people who played chris and Cathy did not capture the essence of the previous actors . It honestly felt like a different story at times I had to remind myself there are the Cathy and Chris not some randos

Well what can I say! Once a massive fan of Virginia Andrews writings until she passed away and her team continued to write in her name, the change was so apparent and not up to her standards that I had to stop. As for the movies ( If that's what you call them)the first was utter rubbish, the second was worse and the third appalling. The acting was atrocious. Regretfully wasted a good few hours of my life on what I can only describe as a gigantic pile of cods-wallop!! No Offense meant to all those that loved the movies.

Well what can I say! Once a massive fan of Virginia Andrews writings until she passed away and her team continued to write in her name, the change was so apparent and not up to her standards that I had to stop. As for the movies ( If that's what you call them)the first was utter rubbish, the second was worse and the third appalling. The acting was atrocious. Regretfully wasted a good few hours of my life on what I can only describe as a gigantic pile of cods-wallop!! No Offense meant to all those that loved the movies.

This might sound like a harsh review compared to others, but I found the storyline very weak, the writing was laughable at times. The acting is terrible especially from Heather Graham. The actor playing Chris is unattractive and doesn't fit the role. I wasn't expecting much from a Lifeline movie but this one is one to avoid or do like I did, and have it playing in the background while you are cooking so as not to waste any of your time.

This film was very good and did show the book well but I just didn't feel as drawn into this film. I do think the constant change of characters are confusing and they all seem new again even through they only look different. I understand they do this to show they have aged but with make up I believe you could have done that to the previous Chris and Cathy as I think they were much better. I did like Cathy in this film but I do not feel Chris looked like what he should in the books. They are meant to be the 'Dresden Dolls' but I think it is Chris' hair maybe, he just does not fit the Doll. I do think the children fit very well though. Apart from that the film was enjoyable I just wouldn't be in a rush to watch it again. :)

After the disappointing "Petals On the Wind" production, my expectations for this third chapter of the Dollanganger series, were compromised. But the creators of this latest film mostly redeem themselves, with this creepy, slickly produced story about the "seeds of evil," that are being planted inside Cathy's youngest son, Bart Sheffield. This wonderfully Gothic story deals with the systematic corruption of a child, who already has the blood of a fairly ruthless father. The cold and calculating Bart Winslow was a morally corrupt attorney that Cathy seduces away from her selfish, calculating mother, Corrine.

The creepy old woman who moves into the mansion next door to Cathy, her incestuous brother Chris and their two boys, has a dark secret. Behind the lace veil, Corrine Winslow is hiding, and she is planning on making a play at getting her family back. She is particularly interested in young Bart, and she sees him as the "son that should have been hers." And Bart, alone and awkward, is particularly susceptible to the mysterious woman's attentions. Under the tutelage of Corrine, and her sinister butler, John Amos, Bart is taught a fanatical religious ideology. And the love he has for his mother and father is poisoned by them both.

For a story with such dark tones, Lifetime television actually did a nice job. The film succeeds at being atmospheric and downright creepy. Of course all the usual flaws are present, mainly some of the acting being pretty awful at times, and some dialog is awkward and even preposterous. But the entire film rests on the shoulders of the young actor who plays Bart. This kid is really excellent, and he absolutely elevates this movie to a higher level. His acting abilities are so strong that they make the rest of the cast look bad. They all look the part of course; Cathy and Chris are soap opera-perfect blond dolls, and the actor who plays Jory is gorgeous. Purists will complain that Jory's hair isn't black, like that of his father Julian, but it is a minor issue. Disturbing scenes, like the killing of the dog, and the one with Bart and Cindy by the pool, are not shied away from, which makes this one a bit too intense for very young viewers. Of course a series with the subject of incest is not aimed at young audiences anyway.

"If There Be Thorns" is, so far the best film in the series. Of course my opinion might be biased as this was my personal favorite book in the series. It is also one of the best things Lifetime has ever done. At times this has the look of a theatrical production, and not a TV movie. My enthusiasm for the series has been renewed, and I am looking forward to the final installment, "Seeds of Yesterday." I'm hoping it is as Gothic and as evil as this one.