There are numerous pieces of classic literature that are so beloved they will be adapted over and over again: Little Women, Pride and Prejudice, anything written by William Shakespeare... the list could go on. The Secret Garden, Frances Hodgson Burnett's 1911 novel, definitely falls into this category, having been turned into a movie four times before. The fifth iteration, directed by Marc Munden and written by Jack Thorne, arrives in US theaters this week and alters the source text in a few notable ways. This includes changing the time period, removing some characters, and adding some dramatic elements. Ultimately, however, The Secret Garden remains the story people are familiar with, and despite some pacing issues, there's still magic to be found.
The Secret Garden tells the story of Mary Lennox (Dixie Egerickx), a spoiled young girl living in India with her British parents in the years following World War II. When cholera kills both elder Lennoxes, Mary is sent to live with her reclusive, hunchbacked uncle Archibald Craven (Colin Firth). Mary is initially frustrated by her new lonely life at Misselthwaite Manor, but as she explores the estate, her world begins to open up. As fans of the novel will know (as will those who have read the title), Mary's adventuring eventually leads her to a hidden, magical garden that reignites her imagination and helps uncover some old family secrets.
While Mary encounters others on her emotional journey, such as the no-nonsense housekeeper Mrs. Medlock (Julie Walters), her sickly cousin Colin (Edan Hayhurst), and neighbor Dickon (Amir Wilson), The Secret Garden undoubtedly belongs to Egerickx and her young heroine. The film wastes no time in developing Mary's love of stories, as well as her decidedly prickly personality. Egerickx is an excellent young performer, bringing Mary to life with the right amount of bluster and vulnerability. As Mary evolves throughout The Secret Garden, so does Egerickx. While the film doesn't give near as much attention to the other characters, the rest of the cast provides wonderful supporting performances, including the always-reliable Firth and Walters.
Of course, when it comes to a production of The Secret Garden, one expects the titular setting to be done well and with an appropriate amount of magic. This Secret Garden is filled with plenty of that, and it's a delight to catch the fantastical elements. For example, the leaves of one tree seem to change color with each shift of the breeze, and at another point, Mary manages to climb up a tree trunk with the help of branches that twist and move to fit her needs. Munden and his team imbue The Secret Garden with a new element of magical realism that brings the classic story to life in a new way. Mary sees the past come alive before her very eyes while running through a garden filled with ever-changing plants and creatures; it's a fresh way to present a garden that has seen its fair share of adaptations.
Where The Secret Garden falters is in its pacing. Turning in after a brisk 99 minutes, Thorne's script keeps a lot of the plot beats toward the end of the film. The majority of The Secret Garden is spent on Mary's exploration of the Misselthwaite estate, and while she does uncover valuable information, it's just that for a while: learning new things about Colin's illnesses and the family's dearly departed figures. The plot gears don't really start turning until the end is in sight. In this case, it's a good thing that everything that came before is so beautiful; just watching Mary run around the garden and encounter those long passed in the manor itself is a visual delight.
The Secret Garden is at its strongest when it's leaning into the magical realism aspect. The garden is, as expected, stunning, and the added backstories regarding Mary and Colin's mothers give the story a greater emotional heft. Additionally, Mary's relationships with the two boys, Colin and Dickon, highlight the importance of childhood friendships, especially after one has experienced a loss. Therefore, it's hard to deny there's some real magic to be found in this updated Secret Garden, even if one might wish for more time spent on the actual plot beats. This film was made to introduce Burnett's classic novel to a new generation, and it's easy to imagine young viewers will be entranced by Mary's story. And, truthfully, some older ones might be as well. That's just the magic of the garden.
The Secret Garden is now available On Demand. It is 99 minutes long and is rated PG for thematic elements and some mild peril.
