White Oleander

The other night I watched White Oleander and I thought it was very well done. I didn’t really pay attention to the mechanics of the film because I was so taken by the story and the acting. One reviewer described it as “A compelling coming-of-age drama about the arduous journey of a sensitive young girl through a series of foster homes and a fierce struggle to pull free from her dangerous and domineering mother’s hold over her.” That pretty much describes the plot of the movie shortly but perfectly.

Astrid, played by Allison Lohman (who may play Lilly in the screen adaptation of “A Million Little Pieces”, if that movie is still going to be created), was put in foster care after her mother, played by Michelle Pfeiffer, committed murder. Astrid goes through a few foster homes. The first is a trashy trailer with a jealous born-again Christian foster mother played by Robin Wright-Penn. The second is a sleek Malibu Oceanside mansion owned by a washed up B-actress and a TV producer whose marriage is in trouble, the foster mother being played by Renee Zellwegger. The last is a Russian woman who uses the kids to work at her little corner in the flea market. The character of Astrid was put in all of these different situations and she seemed to transition so well and so easily into being the person she was expected to be by the family she was with. The way she would act and dress when she was in each home really mimicked the lifestyle she was forced into.

Most critics have praised this movie for the amazing acting in it, and I must say I do agree! I was very impressed by Alison Lohman. She transitions so well and maintains this sort of innocence even when you know she isn’t really so innocent. Watching the movie really made me want to read the book because apparently the main character goes through even more foster homes and experiences in the book. I would definitely recommend this movie next time you’re looking for a non-new release. If anyone has read the book please let me know how it is!

- oh yeah... it's liz by the way.