User Reviews

Did the makers of this movie even read the book? Why oh why, out of all the young actresses they could choose from, would they choose this one for the character of Heaven? Not that she's a bad actress, but she is not even close to the physical description of Heaven, which is a big part of the story throughout the books. Heaven is supposed to be dark haired and waifish, thin from not getting enough to eat. Instead, they cast this buxom, healthy looking redhead? She almost looks more like the character Sarah is described in the book. I simply could not get past this and cannot understand what the casting director was thinking.

I read the series when I was younger, but for some reason, couldn't remember the details. I was hoping the movie would jog my memory... nope. Not at all. It wasn't the worst movie I've ever seen, but not the best, by far.

I loved the Heaven series and reread the entire thing about 20 times while growing up! I was so excited to see this movie! I am so disappointed. First, I don't understand how Heaven can be a redhead when so much of her character was marked by her dark hair. Seems none of the characters match their descriptions. Second, They changed Logan's family business to a butcher instead of a pharmacy and Kitty turned into a dental hygienist. They seemed to try to make Kitty a more sympathetic character instead of the twisted woman she really was. I understand they have to change things to make into a movie, just seems to me, at the very least, they could match the character descriptions and keep them close to what they actually were. If I didn't know the story so well, I may have enjoyed the movie more. I will still watch it though!

Lifetime movies aren't that long but these VC Andrews movies are. It seems that almost all the grownups are sick and depraved. These long potboilers have so many trashy characters it seems almost like a non stop trash parade.

Having said that it is fairly watchable. The main actress is sweet but isn't that unique. Not initially as shocking as Flowers be patient there's more perverseness on the way. Things get better in Dark Angel.

If you are in a mood for some low brow entertainment, thanks Lifetime.

I have read and loved this series. Lifetime screwed up. Heaven is supposed to have dark hair, her mother silvery blond. This may seem minor but it is a HUGE plot point. Jane is Our Jane and she and Keith were not twins. Where were Grandpa and her loving teacher Miss Deale, who inspires Heaven to be a teacher. Not one character matched their description from the book. In short, if you are going to make a movie based on a book, please READ the book.

You know, it almost seems like Lifetime made this lousy on purpose. It couldn't have been a money issue, as it would have been cheaper to just follow the book, rather than hire some no talent HACK to rewrite the entire story. I'm absolutely mystified why anyone would buy the rights to a book and then completely ignore the source material. A word of advice to you, Lifetime; if you had bothered to hire people that actually read the books, and just followed the story by the numbers, (not much thought is even required), you could make a lot of money. That's because these books have a large, very dedicated fan base, people who love the story and the characters so much, that many of them would actually go out and BUY the series on dvd. Also, the people involved with the production would likely be hired for more film projects, IF this had been done right. Because as it stands, NOBODY involved in this abortion of a film will likely ever work again. Get your act together...

Just horrible. I would give it a -10 If I could. Hair colour is a big issue that was changed. After that is said where to start. It's like watching an accident. You can't not look away. If v.c.andrews were alive she would be disgusted with this garbage Lifetime and Andrew Neiderman call a movie. They would have have been better off just making a new movie series. I'm sad that I share the same name as this pathetic Heaven. Not the girl I grew up with. Lifetime, Andrew pls stop ruining books for us true fans that care. Either fallow the book to the word or dont bother making a movie. Waste of time and money to watch. Unless you like to.pay to be sad

I love V.C. Andrews' books although her subject matter can veer into a disturbing place. And this movie/series is no exception. I loved the original Flowers in the Attic movie though not so much the remake on Lifetime. Thus I was watched this movie with a little bit of hesitation. 'Heaven' is a twisted tale of a teenager who has had a very tough life and it keeps getting worse for her. This movie & other V.C. Andrews' books aren't for the faint of heart. What's most concerning about this subject matter is that even though it's really disturbing and twisted, it's very plausible and that's sad. I think it's important to tell tales of events such as these as they are very likely to happen in real life. Although the movie was hard to stomach at times due to the horrible things that happened to that character, I think it was a very good movie and I look forward to Dark Angel and the rest of this series.

Why did the bus pull up about 50 metres away from the bus stop and make her walk all that way in the rain? Then drove right past the bus stop. Makes no sense.

Heaven in the movie looks nothing like the Heaven in the book. It's so wrong it's actually distracting. She looks more like how I visualized Kitty.

Of course movies are bound by time and plot elements and characters may be different or not exist in the film but for an adaptation such as this they got it all wrong. Numerous posts have mentioned the hair colour aspect and though usually not essential, in Heaven it is. Heaven has dark hair - as in Dark Angel - she is the picture of her blonde mother, Leigh who was called Angel except- you got it- her hair is black. It's not that difficult. Everyone else is off the mark too- poor, exhausted Sarah looks pretty good. You get what I'm saying. To VC Andrews readers this is very important because her descriptions of the characters are so vivid. I could go on but whatever, it's badly done.

The first one was great. The rest are filled with bad acting, quick plot changes, it's just silly

Anyone expecting high art, or for a great adaptation of their favorite book series is obviously going to be disappointed. The talent necessary for that simply isn't there, in these Lifetime productions. It is a complete mystery why the creators of this stuff can't just FOLLOW THE SOURCE MATERIAL. It seems that would be easier than investing more energy into coming up with different plot structures and changing characters that were already so intricately described in the books. Anyway, as has been mentioned a thousand times already, the main character has red hair, which makes no sense, when so much emphasis was placed on Heaven's hair color in the books. It almost seems like Lifetime was trying to anger the fanbase on purpose, as they should have known this was going to be a major point of contention. And the removal of major characters seemed unnecessary as well. As far as casting goes, I suppose it all comes down to personal taste, on who is attractive/aesthetically appealing, but it can't be denied that some of the male characters were just bland, while others were well cast, like the writer who falls in love with Heaven. But credit should be given where it is deserved, for example the cinematography/photography is quite lovely... everything seems to be bathed in a warm, golden glow. The wardrobe department did a nice job too, and although the main actress, Annalise Basso looks NOTHING like the character from the book, she is still ok in the role. I think the idea here is to separate the movie from the books, and look at this production as a movie "loosely based on the works of V.C. Andrews," and if you can do that, you might have a great time with this ultra trashy, sordid soap opera with all it's jaw dropping plot developments and all the twisted, corrupt character herein. Having read the series only once, decades ago, I was reminded of things from the books, and it was very entertaining seeing this outrageous story on the screen. They really don't make stuff like this in these very PC days, so when a made for tv movie comes out dealing with things like incest and "backwoods sluts" in such a prurient manner, it's undeniably interesting. Although cleaned up somewhat, this stuff is reminiscent of the exploitation fare that entertained audiences in the 70's. The Casteel series harkens back to the golden age of soap operas, when they dealt with the more shocking subject matter. So on that level, anyone who wasn't at least entertained by this, should check their pulse..I will check out "Dark Angel" next. I read that this one fared better, and I remember it being my favorite book in the Casteel series..

A lot of things aren't explained properly, which would have helped one withe the story. Knowing there were 5 movies in the series made me anticipate a blockbuster, but this seems just a poor teen-themed movie.

I really wish lifetime would stop screwing up book to TV movies as well biographies. This movie was nothing like the book none of the characters looked like they were described as in the book. The family didn't look poor it was just all wrong

My mother read V.C Andrew's and passed the love on to me. I was so excited to see this movies because I closed my eyes listening to the audio book 1000 time. Picturing the characters. Feeling their sorrow, enjoying the love and enjoying the beautiful story. But this this is not Heaven. It's like buying Nike's and the swish is upside down and they spelled Nike wrong! And I dont want anyone saying "it's a movie not the book!" It said BOOK to SCREEN! Not let's edit characters out add things that didnt happen almost changing the storyline

Even though it isn't exactly like the book, like Heaven's hair not being black, it's STILL a wonderful adaptation, to an amazing book series! No movie trying to stay in a tv time slot, can POSSIBLY make the movie exactly like the book. It's just not possible. I set my expectations to ENJOY, and I did. Just watch, with these expectations, and enjoy it.

This movie is a disgrace to the book. I am generally ok with film adaptations, knowing that the book is obviously going to be better. I went into this film with incredibly low expectations, and I was STILL severely disappointed.

Why is everyone out to nitpick on every adaptation that's made. THIS SERIES WAS DEAD ON every detail in the books. I TOO have read the series. They did an awesome job making the book into a movie. All you naysayers ARE WRONG. Who cares about the damn hair color!!!!!!!!!!! In my opinion, GOOD JOB LIFETIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Haven't even finished, and don't even think I can. Seriously straying from the book, awful acting, and rushing through just how awful heaven and her siblings had it.

Waste of time, money, effort, light, air, water, HD space..................I love the book series so much, this could have been really good but - Lifetime :(