The Secret Garden (Steampunk), Movie Review

The Secret Garden is a classic story—one that has stood up as a book and as a movie. With this in mind, Director Owen Smith didn't want to be compared to what has come before. Instead of "remaking" the movie in the same style that's been accomplished and enjoyed, he reset it in steampunk.

We are moved to a fictional factory that is in demise. Mary Lennox shows up for a short stay and ends up being orphaned and needing to stay longer. By the end she has changed things around for her uncle and those few people who have been holding on.

Sorry if this is a spoiler, but the story was written in 1910, released as a book in 1911, and the first movie came out in 1949.

The story has become a classic that lends itself to be a good movie. However, it is not the story that makes this movie. What sets this movie apart is the setting and the cast.

Using Steampunk

Smith succeeded with using a steampunk alternative for his presentation of The Secret Garden. The location they found creates a space where the story unfolds in spectacular fashion. Yes, alterations were made to the tale. They were not able to keep to the age of the original characters and as you watch what they did you find the alterations are done with taste and are reflected within this telling.

The aspects of the story they changed fit together to give a delightful family tale. Details were dealt with to make sure continuity is maintained throughout the movie. The visual effects for creating the steampunk universe play on the roles. The costumes fit the characters and add to the setting. Kudos to their designer because there were details in the costumes that could have been easily overlooked.

The extra tidbits used in the costume design helped to reflect the limitation of space and push the story along in the new setting. This was recognized at FilmQuest as The Secret Garden was nominated for Best Costumes.

Cast

The cast played off one another as though they truly were the characters they were portraying. This is probably why The Secret Garden was nominated for Best Ensemble Cast. All did well, but Amanda Waters (Mandie Movies) as Martha Sowerby was exceptional, and was nominated for Best Supporting Actress.

Other cast members included Erin Leigh Bushko as Mrs Medlock, Sacha Dzuba as Doctor Craven, Mark Ashworth as Ben Weatherstaff, Max River as Dickon Sowerby, Hannah Fierman as Lily Craven, Paden Garrett Anderson as Colin Craven, and Michael Vaughn as Archibald Craven.

Overall

I was able to see The Secret Garden at the 2017 FilmQuest Film Festival. It was nominated for seven awards: Best Supporting Actress (Amanda Waters), Best Costumes, Best Production Design, Best Sound, Best Score, Best VFX, and Best Ensemble Cast. The movie runs 90 minutes.

The Secret Garden is a wonderful family tale presented as a movie worth sharing as a family. If you are familiar with the story, or not, this was done in a delightful manner that keeps with the style of movies The Dogwood Motion Picture Company has become known for.

I give The Secret Garden 4 out of 5.

The Secret Garden is currently on the film festival circuit.

This article is submitted to Utah Geek Magazine.

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