Season 1 |
|
|
Episode Guide
Episode 1 – | Review Score – 5/5
Episode 2 – | Review Score – 4.5/5
Episode 3 – | Review Score – 3.5/5
Episode 4 – | Review Score – 4/5
Episode 5 – | Review Score – 3/5
Episode 6 – | Review Score – 4.5/5
Episode 7 – | Review Score – 2.5/5
The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, the coming-of-age drama on Prime Video has its roots in Holly Ringland’s novel of the very same name. It tells the tale of a little girl who experiences an unfortunate series of occurrences that are both violent and traumatic. The initial three episodes present Alice and lay the groundwork for her narrative by depicting her early life, during which she is subjected to physical assault from her dad.
When her parents pass away, we then see her relocate to her grandmother’s home on a farm. Alice discovers more regarding her parents, their background, and the reason they left the farm as she embarks on an adventure of her own.
As Alice sets out on a journey away from the farm and encounters the difficulties that her mother did decades ago, it also shapes her personality. The series, which spans many years of Alice’s life, showcases how she attempts to overcome her difficult and violent childhood and ultimately finds herself in a life-or-death struggle with a man she loves dearly.
The initial three chapters of the show are surprisingly gloomy and intriguing. The episodes masterfully tell an unsettling tale and it is brilliantly executed as viewers grow curious about what caused the catastrophe, which adds an air of mystery to the show. Additionally, the PTSD the young girl experiences as a consequence of her father’s abuse is depicted quite realistically, and it truly makes you sympathize with the central character.
After the initial three chapters, the episodes move slowly, and it focuses on a never-ending series of revelations of previously hidden information, deceptions, and other plot twists. The drama plays out much like a mystery novel, involving flashbacks weaved throughout to contextualize the women’s acts and their contradictory intentions.
Flowers serve as an important symbol throughout The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart. It enables June to communicate her emotions without having to confront them directly. Having said that, their meaning gets muddled and confusing as time goes on, whether that was the intention all along or not.
During her childhood, Alice is raised in an environment characterized by the presence of a father who engages in abusive behavior. As an adult, she exhibits a tendency to form an attachment to a male figure who bears a striking resemblance to her father, displaying traits of abuse, manipulation, and overall toxicity.
The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart provides some insight into her boyfriend, Dylan’s character as well. The man gives off the impression that Alice should be extremely wary of him right from the very beginning. She is previously observed hanging out with a healthier man but it is obvious that she doesn’t think he is the right match for her.
On the other hand, Dylan is quite toxic but Alice is really into him. This is intriguing in light of her toxic father. She seems to be drawn to the dangerous familiarity Dylan provides her with. Despite the importance of exploring the repeated nature of abuse, depicting this issue without succumbing to caricature takes effort and time. Like many other elements of the show, the relationship between Alice and Dylan could fill an entire season but is instead compressed into three episodes.
It is undeniable that Alice being raised by Sally and her partner is a far better option than her being raised without a strong mother and father figure. Despite the narrative that the group will raise her better being pushed by the show, it is a well-known fact that families are the best environment for children to grow up in.
As the show progresses, this is shown even more clearly. We subsequently learn that Sally and her partner raise Alice’s brother, who grows out to be more emotionally intelligent and resilient than Alice herself. On the other hand, June is extremely controlling, unstable, and a complete mess. Growing up with a group of traumatized women is the last thing a child who has lost her parents needs. Throughout the show, we see the consequences of that on Alice.
There’s no doubt that June and the other ladies intended the best for Alice. Having said that, it is also true that June is selfish to the degree that she hides the fact that Alice’s brother is still alive from her, among other things. The show doesn’t set out to teach us anything about the importance of having a strong mother and father figure in a child’s life, but it does so unintentionally.
The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart is equally difficult to dislike as it is to enjoy. The show’s intentions are good, but it is poorly executed. In the process of addressing a crucial subject, the show relentlessly attacks and villainizes men. It’s clear that the subject the show addresses is delicate and significant, but the message it sends across is unacceptable given that it instils hatred.
The drama’s cinematography is its strongest quality. Helmed by Glendyn Ivin, features jaw-dropping views of Australia as well as intimate close-ups that catch every ray of light and nuance of emotions. The tale masterfully captures the blooming flowers on the farm, the enormous silence of the arid terrain, and the soothing whisper near the seaside. Additionally, the sinister atmosphere immerses you in the drama and stays with you until the credits roll.
The music, both original and covers of songs such as Massive Attack’s ‘Teardrop’ and Metallica’s ‘Nothing Else Matters’, and particularly a scorching rendition of the latter by Phoebe Bridgers, elevates an already beautiful spectacle to new heights of beauty.
But the coming-of-age drama backfires due to an odd pace that spends too much time on some moments and not enough on others. Although the subject matter calls for empathy and realism, the story frequently veers into melodrama instead.
Alice is a bookworm before the fire, and she wins the heart of Sally, the town librarian who has lost her own child who was Alice’s age. The chemistry between the two characters is fascinating on its own, but the series ruins it by dumping a bunch of unnecessary information about Sally’s past and her connection with Alice’s parents, a portion of which is just implausible and has nothing to do with what we witness.
Similarly, a few episodes focus on Alice settling into life in Thornfield. The scene then abruptly shifts to her adulthood. During this time, we learn through flashbacks that Alice is involved in a relationship with an old friend from school. The fact that Alice’s first lover is an undocumented immigrant comes to light suddenly and serves solely to foreshadow their painful breakup.
But crucial moments in Alice’s life, such as the buildup to the Hart fire as well as its ensuing aftermath, seem to drag. The drama’s structural problems distract from the content that should be its focus.
Both Alycia Debnam Carey, with her portrayal of Alice Hart, and Alyla Browne, in her depiction of the character’s younger nine-year-old self, exhibit notable traits associated with trauma, fragility, and vulnerability. This serves as a testament to the profound impact that violence can have on people.
We are presented with another notable character Sally, whose unfortunate circumstances evoke empathy for her situation. Furthermore, June’s partner, Twig, garners immediate affection from the audience due to Leah Purcell’s exceptional portrayal of her compassionate and amiable character.
In this coming-of-age tale, the protagonist is a young woman who is trying to put her traumatic childhood behind her. The show gets off to a terrific start, but it slacks as it proceeds. The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart’s repeated portrayal of men as the problem, rather than focusing on the sensitive subject at hand, is a serious flaw. Furthermore, its pace is a major drawback.
Having said that, the Amazon Original show features excellent cinematography, music, and acting. There is a lot of potential for this one. However, the final chapters are a letdown.
Feel Free To Check Out More Of Our TV Show Reviews Here!
-
Verdict - 7/10
7/10