White Oleander

Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: October 11, 2002

7.5	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 22 Ratings

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NicoleM.Sep 21, 2007

I thought the book and movie was the best that I have ever seen in a long time.

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jamiemeghanSep 6, 2011

White Oleander is an emotional-heartwreck coming of age story written by Janet Fitch and published in May of 1999. This fictional novel tells of Astrid Magnussen, beginning in early childhood. Astrid is living with her feminist, poet of aWhite Oleander is an emotional-heartwreck coming of age story written by Janet Fitch and published in May of 1999. This fictional novel tells of Astrid Magnussen, beginning in early childhood. Astrid is living with her feminist, poet of a mother in Southern California--prey to the blistery, dry-warm wind of the Santa Anas. â… Expand

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KenRAug 25, 2021

It’s a grim view of the Foster Parent scheme that’s offered up in this dark and often depressing story - of a young girl’s nightmarish journey for loving ‘support’. From a selfish mother to multiple foster failures, we follow AstridIt’s a grim view of the Foster Parent scheme that’s offered up in this dark and often depressing story - of a young girl’s nightmarish journey for loving ‘support’. From a selfish mother to multiple foster failures, we follow Astrid (perfectly played by Alison Lohman) as she experiences varying levels of the ‘careers’ from hell - before finding her own place in the world. This cast is professional all the way with some of the best female stars of the day - showing us the way it should not be for a young girl to grow into young womanhood. The script is above average, complete with failed ‘Christians’ (and we, unfortunately, know some are out there) but, also suggests maybe the writers could have a scant understanding of what constitutes a ‘true’ Christian...as against the deluded. The ending is about compromise but also shows a maturing - that sets Astrid on her way to a balanced life. Direction seems a bit erratic to begin but settles down to a well-informed last half. The large degree of handheld Cinematography at times feels claustrophobic (good for some scenes) but while not as shaky as we all too often see - needed better visual style for a smoother feel to the broader involving moments. Powerful entertainment, and strong indictment of a failed social structure within too many modern family units, and the welfare state that tries to save what it can - with limited resources leading to many failures for those who seek something to believe in, and a place to call home.… Expand

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DawdlingPoetNov 25, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I thought this was a good drama film - at the start, the turn of events took me by surprise as her mother, Ingrids arrest seemed to come out of the blue, much as it maybe seemed to Astrid at the time. As the story develops, Astrids personality changes and it seems she's dealt some very unfortunate blows - at first she's very clingy towards her newly imprisoned mother but their relationship clearly suffers and she realises that their relationship has never been entirely healthy, what it should have been. As the storyline develops, its quite shocking the extent of manipulation that unfolds and its actually quite powerful to watch.

The acting is very good and the plotline kept me guessing - the musical score is pretty understated and I felt it was emotionally somewhat powerful, though thankfully not too sentimental. Its got quite a haunting feel to it, thanks to the use of music. This is a character driven film and I felt both the main characters, Astrid and Ingrid, were quite complicated and intriguing and as the plotline develops, we learn more about each, through the eyes of Astrid - its a film that will have you second guessing what will happen next. I felt the ending was quite satisfying too.

I'll also add here, for anyone wondering, that the title 'White Oleander' relates in part to method which Ingrid murders Barry. The flower is mentioned in the dialogue during the film. I suppose there's an irony in that the seemingly pretty flower has a deadly aspect to it, which of course could also be said about Ingrid.

Yes, I'm happy to recommend this film as I felt it was quite gritty, a good character driven drama with a decent plotline. The only down side perhaps is that I suppose it was hard to believe some of the plot twists as they seemed so cruel but it certainly left me second guessing the outcome and I felt overall this was a well made film.… Expand

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Hypn0s6Sep 15, 2021

Редкий случай , когда случайно попавшийся фильм оказывается действительно стоящим потраченного на просмотр времени. Белый олеандр как раз из такой категории.
История, которая показана в фильме очень оригинальна в своём роде. Борьбе заРедкий случай , когда случайно попавшийся фильм оказывается действительно стоящим потраченного на просмотр времени. Белый олеандр как раз из такой категории.
История, которая показана в фильме очень оригинальна в своём роде. Борьбе за выживание главной героини можно только позавидовать. Она, как только завязавшийся росток , пытается зацепиться за единственную возможность прорости. Но её бесчеловечно отрывают и отправляют дальше в пучину неизвестности.
Главная героиня Астрид невероятно сильна духом, тут сказалось фанатичное воспитание матери, которая прививала дочери спартанскую выдержку. Но независимость мысли не всегда приводит к положительным результатам. Чем ты циничнее, тем меньше счастья ты повидаешь. Этому главному уроку фильм нас как раз и учит.
Проблем же , которые подняты в фильме масса: тут и взаимоотношения дочерей и матерей, взаимоотношения полов, проблема семейного быта да и много других. Отметить бы ещё хотелось, большую символичность названия. Все девушки , которые так или иначе играли роль в жизни Астрид, как и Белый Олеандр блондинки и так же как этот кустарник кто то чем то был отравлен. Ингрид была отравлена своим цинизмом, Стар травила себя алкоголем, Клэр же отравила себя лекарствами.
Фильм хорош , даже очень хорош, он не идеален, но выстроен он превосходно, он не динамичен , но в то же время смена событий ошеломляет. Вот ничего не происходит , а в следующем кадре героиня славливает пулю и так на протяжение всего фильма. Заскучать он точно не даст. Подводя итоги хочется сказать , что фильм я смотрел в очень сложный период своей жизни, и он очень помог обрести силы , чтобы этот момент пережить.
Моя оценка этому фильму 8 из 10… Expand

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