The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart Review: The Prime Video series stars Sigourney Weaver as June Hart, Alicia Debnam-Carey as Alice Hart, Alyla Browne as young Alice Hart, Asher Keddie as Sally, Leah Purcell as Twig, Charlie Vickers as Clem Hart, Jack Latorre as young Clem Hart, Tilda Cobham-Hervey as Agnes Hart, Alexander England as John, and others. It is based on Holly Ringland’s novel of the same name. The series is directed by Glendyn Ivin.
There are seven episodes of an hour in The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart. Kim Wilson, Kirsty Fisher, and Sarah Lambert wrote the screenplay. The cinematography is by Sam Chiplin.
The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart Review Contains No Spoilers
In The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, we meet a young Alice who lives with her parents, Agnes and Clem. Initially, they look like a perfect family together. But we find out that Clem is a physically abusive husband and father. One day, an unfortunate fire kills Alice’s parents. Alice stays with her paternal grandmother, June Hart, on a farm with only women. Alice loses her voice due to the tragic incident, and her grandmother helps her communicate through flowers.
Throughout the series, Alice Hart deals with grief and pain while still trying to chase a ray of hope. How does she deal with everything? We get our answers in the end.
The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart has a very gloomy appeal to it. The first two episodes are painful and triggering to watch. But that’s just the beginning of the hardships Alice has to endure. With her grandmother June and an unexpected friendship she strikes with someone, Alice finds some hope in the darkness surrounding her life. Seeing June teach her the language of flowers to express her emotions, moods, and desires moves you deeply.
Director Glendyn Ivin has used sepia for the entire series to convey the sombre feeling. Even in the scenes with many beautiful flowers, there’s a feeling of distress because of the colour tone. The show emphasises what emotional and physical trauma and tragic loss can do to a person, especially if they are so young. Alice’s journey to find meaning in existence while building a new life with someone she didn’t know well, her inability to express the hurt, and her disturbing flashbacks are gut-wrenching.
In the show, every major character has a backstory and secrets. June Hart may have good intentions for Alice, but when concern and protection turn into overprotection, it leads to suffocation and betrayal. When young Alice becomes an adult, happiness lasts only for a while. Despite the new betrayals and awful people around her, she makes her way through the end. Her journey isn’t for the faint-hearted.
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Alyla Browne leaves you in awe of her performance as Alice Hart. Even with a few words, Alyla captivates you with the vulnerability and varied emotions her character is dealing with. Alicia Debnam-Carey plays the adult Alice; she’s fierce, raging mostly with anger and seeking love. Alicia leaves you in tears several times, with her conviction to hit you hard in emotionally intense scenes. Sigourney Weaver and Asher Keddie play prominent roles in the series and are impressive throughout.
The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart Review: Final Thoughts
Overall, Prime Video’s upcoming series is a poignant story of despair, betrayal, hope, and love. Flowers make the world look beautiful. But who thought it could be used as a communication tool, even for complex emotions? Everyone appreciates the beauty of fully-grown flowers. But they require good care and attention; they survive any storms life throws at them and stand steadfast. That’s how the makers want us to see Alice and several other women in the story.
The series will stream on Prime Video on August 4, 2023.
Have you read The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart book? Will you watch the series? Do let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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