The Secret Garden tells the story of a young English orphaned girl (Dixie Egerickx) who moves to live with her uncle after living in India for her entire life.
She struggles in a new environment with different rules, but she discovers a secret, magical garden on the grounds which leads to even more discoveries about her parents and family.
This adaptation is a fun rendition of the original story. It focuses on mature themes but goes about it in a way that is suitable and easy to understand for young viewers.
The young actors are superb, delivering great performances. Colin Firth and Julie Walters act magnificently but the spotlight is on Egerickx.
Although her character can feel unlikeable at times, she creates a well-rounded persona and explores the complexities of all of Mary’s emotions.
The score is simple yet effective, adding fun and excitement.
One flaw is the small amount of these mystical scenes. There doesn’t seem to be much of a distinction between the fantasy and reality.
The garden is beautiful and the scenery throughout the film is breathtaking but it feels as though the magic is skipped over.
This film is a nice rendition of the original story but it lacks some of the interest and wonder of the novel, and doesn’t quite live up.
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