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For many of us, a walk through nature is the perfect escape from the daily grind—to relax and revive ourselves. But in the latest film adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s beloved novel The Secret Garden, for some people, a walk through nature can also bring back difficult memories.
The Secret Garden moves to the moors with 10-year-old Mary Lennox (Dixie Egerickx). After both of her parents die of cholera in India, Mary is sent to England to live with her widowed uncle, Lord Archibald Craven (Colin Firth). She doesn’t want to live in the dreary old manor, but she does enjoy the freedom that her new life allows her—especially after she discovers a beautiful, magical garden nearby. And as she continues to uncover the secrets of the manor—and her family—it begins to bring healing to Mary and her bedridden cousin, Colin (Edan Hayhurst).
Unlike the typical family films of today, though, The Secret Garden isn’t fluffy and cheery and high-energy. In fact, it’s quite melancholy, spending much of the film in dreary darkness. It doesn’t rush into this magical garden—instead taking its time to settle into the general feeling of despair that’s taken over the manor.
Mary, meanwhile, is a complicated little girl: a lonely, grieving child who’s endured so much at such a young age. She lives much of her life in her imagination, dreaming of magical tales and happier times—while, to other people, she generally comes off as spoiled and entitled and even rude. Admittedly, it makes her a challenging character—not one that you’ll simply fall in love with from the beginning of the film. But in the garden, she finds peace and freedom and happiness and healing—all of which she wants to share with her ailing cousin.
All of these stark contrasts—the dreariness of the manor and the vibrancy of the garden, Mary’s rudeness and her eventual kindness and contentment—make for a striking film. It’s difficult but beautiful—both visually and thematically. And while some aspects of the original story may have been changed, the messages of friendship still shine through the dreariness.
The Secret Garden isn’t the kind of brainless film that you watch for fun on a Saturday afternoon. It’s often surprisingly dark and sad for a family film—which might be difficult for some younger, and more sensitive viewers. But there’s also a sweet story and a message about finding light in the darkness—and sharing it with those who need it most.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
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