Classics: A Review of the Secret Garden By Lauren Ennis

"If you look at it the right way, all the world is a garden" says young Mary Lennox. In Frances Hodgson Burnett's 1911 novel The Secret Garden two damaged children learn that with love, nurturing, and the light of a better tomorrow any life can thrive. This garden has been a source of healing and inspiration for generations and one viewing of the 1993 adaptation will leave you without any doubt as to why. Part coming of age story and part childhood fable The Secret Garden is guaranteed to have viewers returning again and again to the solace, friendship, and hope that await just beyond its walls.

Rainy days and Mondays won't get these two down

The story begins in British India circa 1911 as ten year old Mary Lennox grows up surrounded by every luxury that money can buy. Despite her privileged lifestyle, what she wants most, the love and attention of her distant parents, remains beyond her reach. Tragedy strikes when a massive earthquake occurs and she emerges from the rubble to find herself both homeless and orphaned. She is then sent to England to live with her widower uncle, Lord Craven. Her elusive uncle almost immediately abandons her, leaving her in the care of his servants as he travels the country to escape all reminders of his late wife. Servants Martha and Mrs. Medlock instill much needed independence and self-sufficiency in spoiled Mary, but she finds herself just as lacking in love and attention as she had been in India. One day, she chances upon a locked and abandoned garden that had belonged to her aunt. Although the groundskeeper warns her that the garden has fallen into decay, she identifies with the abandoned land that seems as unwanted and neglected as she feels. She eventually forms unlikely friendships with Martha's younger brother, Dickon and her invalid cousin, Collin, and together the trio set to work restoring the garden. As the garden begins to blossom the children begin to flourish along with it.

Since its publication in 1911 The Secret Garden has become synonymous with classic family entertainment. Even in the midst of numerous successful adaptations, however, Agnieszka Holland's 1993 film remains one of the most powerful tellings of the familiar tale. This is largely due to the film's refusal to shy away from the fact that at its heart this is a tale of grief and coping. Each of the film's central characters has been touched by death and the story's central conflict lies within their separate struggles to find a way to cope with their respective losses. The film follows the characters as they navigate through their individual grieving processes and even uses them as apt symbols for the stages of grief. As a result, this deceptively simple tale of children restoring a garden serves as an astute guide for reviving our own lives in the face of loss. Through its honest portrayal of the characters' grief the film shows its young viewers that grief is a normal and natural process which they have no need to hide or be ashamed of. For children coping with loss the film also serves as a welcome reminder that they are not alone and that with patience and nurturing even the most broken of hearts can heal. While the film may be aimed at young audiences its universal lessons in life and loss carry greater resonance with time as we experience our own inevitable losses. Through its intelligent script and mature performances the relates its time honored tale with a poignancy and depth that are every bit as surprising and inspiring as any of its titular garden's secrets.

Mary is quite contrary

The film brings all of the magic of Frances Hodgson Burnett's novel to vibrant life thanks to the work of its talented cast. Maggie Smith is a t ehr sharp witted best as Lord Craven's no-nonsense housekeeper, Mrs. Medlock. Laura Crossley and Andrew Knott are delightful in their sprightly turns as Mary's maid, Martha, and her nature loving brother, Dickon. John Lynch's turn as the anguished Lord Craven is nothing short of haunting. Heydon Prowse nearly steals each scene in which he appears as tormented Collin. Kate Maberly displays a depth, subtlety, and raw emotion that surpasses even most adult actresses as she portrays Mary's healing journey.

For over a century The Secret Garden has inspired generations of children and families. Through its by turns haunting and heartening rendition the 1993 adaptation breathes refreshingly new life into the familiar story while remaining true to its source material. Through its equally mature script and performances the film ensures that Mary, Colin, Dickon, and their garden will continue to inspire viewers both young and young at heart for generations. Join Mary on an unforgettable journey into The Secret Garden.