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White Oleander [2003]


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Top drawer drama with great performances
Review date: 2007-03-05 Rating: 10 out of 10

This one tells the story of Astrid, played by Alison Lohman, a girl in thrall to her smart, beautiful and manipulative mother. When mom is sent off to jail for murdering her boyfriend, Astrid finds herself carted through a string of care homes and foster families.

Lohman is excellent in this one, always convincing as she goes on her strange journey from Pfeiffer to religious nut Star (Robin Wright Penn) to fragile and needy Claire (Rene Zellweger). It's a great part for a young actress to play (she's in almost every scene), and she does it very well despite being surrounded by an intimidating group of more experienced actresses playing her various mother figures.

Penn and Zellweger are both very good, but Pfeiffer is a real revelation. I'd never considered her much more than a pretty face, but she's mesmerising as the cold, controlling Ingrid, who clearly loves her daughter but is incapable of allowing her to make her own choices. Also good in supporting roles are Cole Hauser, Billy Connolly, Noah Wyle, and Patrick Fugit.

As you can probably tell, I liked this one quite a bit. It's a graceful, subtle drama about the damaging part parents can sometimes play in the lives of their children. If you're looking for something restrained and intelligent (but without tipping the scales into worthy-but-dull territory), this is highly recommended.

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Reviews


White Oleander
Review date: 2006-07-16 Rating: 10 out of 10

I loved this film. It is my favourite. It was absolutely amazing and I really reccomend it. My friends thought that it was a bit odd, though. I did lose track of what was actually happening, though. One minute you were in one place, the next you were in another with totally different people!

Good but...
Review date: 2004-09-26 Rating: 8 out of 10

Another attempt at reproducing a book into a film. Michelle Pfeiffer is brilliant and her co star Amy Aquino makes a believable Astrid. But there is so much in the book that is missing in the film. My advice... watch the film, then read the book! Otherwise you will hate the film if you've read the book first!

a very good film
Review date: 2004-06-03 Rating: 10 out of 10

This film is one that keeps you thinking about it a few days / weeks after you've seen it. The acting is excellent and the film has been very well produced and directed. I have not read the book and probably wont get around to it, but I hear it's even better (as they are). The film is a harsh but interesting story of young Astrid's teenage years and can be enjoyed by males and females even though it's probably more of a 'chick's flick'.

Tepid version of the book
Review date: 2003-12-07 Rating: 6 out of 10

Alison Lohman stars as Astrid, an innocent young teen who is thrust into the foster care system when her shrew of a mother (Michelle Pfeiffer) is convicted of murder. Astrid is first sent to Starr (Robin Wright Penn), a trashy, Bible-thumping trailer tramp who ends up shooting Astrid for trysting with her boyfriend. The next foster "mother" is Claire (Renee Zellweger), a needy, lonely actress-wannabe who commits suicide. The last stop is the flea-market life of sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Astrid also stays at the county childrens home, where she meets Paul (Nick Fugit), a sensitive loner, artist, and soul-mate. Astrid's visits to her mother in prison are confrontational and serve as opportunities to pull away from her mother's vicious grasp.

I was a big fan of the novel, but this film is a luke-warm version of it. The script sounded like a first draft, a summary, a roll-call of characters; it lacked any emotional depth or character development. The direction was simplistic. Apparently someone thought they had a great idea: Take some beautiful, famous actresses and put them together and make a feminist statement! In fact, the actresses are wasted in small, undeveloped parts, with the exception of Lohman, who carries the film. The three adult parts lack grit and fire; The character of Astrid's mother needed to be an absolute psychotic filled with hatred. Likewise, the utter selfishness and cruelty of the "foster mothers" that made the novel so unforgettable are just not here. The dvd extras are unremarkable, except to show many of the best scenes ended up on the cutting room floor.

I cannot recommend this film, but those interested in a real look at the damage that can be done in the foster care system should read White Oleander by Janet Fitch.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Michelle Pfeiffer
Amy Aquino
Robin Wright Penn
Alison Lohman
Renée Zellweger

Creators:
Michelle Pfeiffer (Primary Contributor)
Renée Zellweger (Primary Contributor)
E.K. Gaylord II (Producer)
Hunt Lowry (Producer)
Ilyse A. Reutlinger (Producer)
John Wells (Producer)
Kristin Harms (Producer)
Janet Fitch (Writer)
Mary Agnes Donoghue (Writer)

Director(s):

Recording label: Mosaic Movies
Manufacturer: Mosaic Movies
EAN: 7321900947718
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2004-02-23
Number of discs: 1
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 105 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2002-10-11
Language: English (Original Language)

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