SEEDS OF YESTERDAY

US, 2015, 100 minutes, Colour.
Rachael Caparni, James Maslow, Jason Lewis, Anthony Konechni, Sammi Hanratty, Leah Gibson.
Directed by Shawn Ku.


Seeds of Yesterday is the fourth in the series which began with Virginia Andrews Flowers in the Attic. It was followed by Petals on the Wind and If There be Thorns.

One of the main focuses of the third film was Cathy’s son, Bart, who was possessed by the spirit of his grandfather, Malcolm, self-righteous with some religious indignation, especially about his family. When his grandmother, Corinne, moved in next door, he became her favourite and she left everything to him.

With the opening of the present film, Bart is turning 25 and there is a reading of his grandmother’s will, with him expecting to take possession of his fortune, but this is not to be the case, because his grandmother was concerned that he would go to an institution, and so the money is managed by Chris.

Bart has reconstructed the family mansion and invites the family to join him, with the ballet presentation by Jory, without his wife Melodie who is pregnant. Jory’s spine is broken in an accident. Bart pays all expenses but has an affair with Jory’s wife. The adopted daughter, Cindy, also arrives, dances in the ballet in place of Melodie, manifests an infatuation with Bart but leaves.

Melodie’s children are born, twins, but she cannot face being a parent. There is also a Nanny whom Bart seduces then rejects her. When Chris has an accident and Bart shows sinister signs but Cindy returns and they become evangelists. Cathy returns with her memories to the attic.

1. The novels of V.C.Andrews? The film versions? The continuity of the story throughout the novels and films? Audience interest, curiosity?

2. Bart and the rebuilding of the mansion? Lavish interiors? The ballet performance, meals, the chapel? The grounds of the house? The clubs in the city? the musical score?

3. The title, the effect of the different generations, Bart and his history? Bad seed?

4. Bart at 25, a Christian Grey type, wealth, the inheritance from his grandmother, Chris and his administration? Bart’s resentment? His restoring the house, lavish? As a character, wilful, using his wealth, using women, his relationship with the family? Malcolm and his diary and the continued influence, malevolent? His expectations? That he would inherit his money at 25 and manage it? His frustration that his grandmother had deceived him? And her thought that he might go to an institution?

5. Chris and Cathy, their past, more serene, love, Jory? Their interactions with Bart? The administration of the property? Love for Jory, Melodie and her pregnancy? Their happiness? The ballet, the accident, Jory in hospital, Melodie unable to go, using her pregnancy as an excuse? Her own grief at not being able to dance, not being able to dance with Jory? With Bart, the relationship? Cindy and her arrival, the attitude towards Bart, the sexual flirtation, his resistance? The hiring of the Nanny – and Bart’s approach to her, callous? Cathy and Chris, the decision to move, to buy the new house? Chris killed in the accident?

6. Jory, the ballet, Melodie pregnant, not dancing? Cindy substituting? The dance, the crush of the columns, Jory and his spine being broken, going to the hospital? Melodie not visiting, the others covering for her? Bart paying, the installation of the lift? Melodie and her sexual needs, with Bart? Hurting Jory? His despair, going into the pool, the rescue? Melodie, the birth, those assisting the birth, Cathy reassuring her? The decision to leave, unable to be a mother, leaving the note?

7. Cindy, the history with Bart, adopted, the arrival, sluttish behaviour, appearing sexually in Bart’s dream? The ballet, the dance? The interactions with Bart, his spurning her, her leaving, returning?

8. The Nanny, care of the babies, attracted to Bart, sexual relationship, his callous dismissal of her?

9. Bart, becoming mad, the baptismal ceremony in the chapel? His losing his grip and mind?

10. The decision to move, fears about Bart, that he should go to an institution?

11. Cindy, her return, Bart and Cindy becoming revivalists?

12. Cathy, alone, going back to the attic, her memories?

13. The end of the saga?