“White Oleander” (Warner Brothers)
“White Oleander” is a movie chock full of strong female performances. Michelle Pfeiffer, Renee Zellwegger, Robin Wright Penn and newcomer Allison Lohman give their acting all to bring Janet Fitch’s stunning novel “White Oleander” to the screen. The book was a runaway best seller thanks to Oprah Winfrey’s endorsement, and the movie version should now gain recognition with awards and praise.
The story concerns Astrid Magnussen, played by Lohman, who is forced into the foster care system when her mother, played by Pfeiffer, is sent to prison for murdering her boy friend, The film explores how each foster home situation, and there are three of them, affects Astrid.
A stripper turned Christian named Starr, played by Penn, is the first foster mother she encounters. The second is an actress named Claire, played by Zellwegger, and the third is a businesswoman named Rena, who is played by Svetlana Efremova. In each situation Astrid gains some knowledge of herself and some insight into her mother’s character.
The film is a total character study which would on the surface sound dull. But in the hands of these excellent actresses and with an attention holding script by Mary Agnes Donoghue, the movie is mesmerizing.
Pfeiffer has always had the potential to deliver the acting goods but it is only with a part like this where she can show a touch of evil and a will of steel that she really blossoms. Her character in this film is a woman to be feared and Pfeiffer doesn’t let her beauty or her natural softness detract from this message.
The film is rated PG-13 for profanity and mild violence.
“White Oleander” could be called “a women’s movie” but that would be selling it short. This is a movie for all audiences who are interested in the human condition, and who want to see first rate acting in each and every role in a film.
I scored “White Oleander” a blooming 8 out of 10.
©2003 Jackie K. Cooper
