White Oleander

Based on an Oprah selected novel by author Janet Fitch, this film attempts to tell the story of a teen girl in foster homes. Its a good story, an uncomfortable story, albeit not a completely realistic story. This teen somehow escapes the darker side that usually involves drugs, alcohol, sex and pregnancy although she does act out and she does have problems. The film also implies some bad preliminary groundwork by Protective Services prior to placement, which is not usually this bad, although understaffing, and under-caring can create bad placements.

That said, this is a serious drama, mostly about women but specifically about the relationship between the mother and daughter. The daughter as narrator begins the tale by characterizing her mother as beautiful, dangerous and proud and she tells us that living with someone dangerous is safe. From these initial conflicted statements her story unfolds. It begins with a big problem, proceeds with tension and reaches a climax and a resolution that I didnt expect.

They got many things right in this film, the effect of an absentee father, the impact that a birth mother has on foster placement, the impossible dynamics of teenage foster kids, how these kids think and the emotional flow within the society of women. To the credit of the author, the director and the actors, this is a story that does not turn soapy.

Michelle Pfeiffer plays Ingrid, the artist mother who lives and chooses a life of crisis. Pfeiffer is the power behind the drama. Its her ability to project intensity, rage, viciousness and the determination of mother love that creates the working tension of the story. The 45-year-old Pfeiffer has spent half of her life doing more than forty performances mostly in films. I saw her last in I Am Sam (2001).

Alison Lohman plays Astrid, Ingrids daughter. A relative newcomer, she has only performed in a dozen films, and although shes twenty something, she looks and acts like a teen in this film. I thought she carried the part well even though her looks are a little too squeaky clean, however she was a good casting selection as Pfeiffers daughter.

Renee Zellweger plays Claire, one of the foster mothers. Shes so good in this role I didnt recognize her at first, but her eyes gave her away. This performance just demonstrates more of her acting range. I saw her recently in Down with Love (2003) and Chicago (2002).

Patrick Fugit plays Paul, Astrids love interest. This is his second film. His first was a starring role as the young protagonist in Almost Famous (2000). He is quite believable as Astrids artistic soul mate and love interest. He is less believable as the child of dysfunctional parents.

Both Fugit and Lohman were recently featured in Seventeen magazine.

Reviewed November 23, 2003