Title: WHITE OLEANDER
Running Time: 110 min
Lead Cast:
Michelle Pfeiffer, Renee Zellwegger, Alison Lohman, Robin Wright Penn, Svetlena Efremova
Director:Peter Kosminsky
Producers:Stacey Cohen, E.K. Gaylord
Screenwriters:Janet Fitch, Mary Agnes Donoghue
Music:Thomas Newman
Editor:Chris Ridsdale
Genre
rama
Cinematography: Elliott Davis
Distributor:Warner Brothers
Location: Los Angeles, USA
An artist by profession and temperament, Ingrid Magnussen (Michelle Pfeiffer) murders her inconstant lover, goes to prison and wrecks the quiet, comfortable life of her pre-teen daughter Astrid, a talented developing visual artist herself. Though in prison, the strong-willed mother continues to exert her influence on her daughter. Through letters and during Astrid's visits to prison, Ingrid discourages her from forging new relationships as she is shuttled from one foster home to another. Astrid is bothered by many questions about herself and the father she never knew, questions which her mother always ignores. Astrid matures as she observes and experiences family problems, hate, violence, near-death and the loss of a foster mother and friend Claire (Renee Zellwegger). Astrid accuses Ingrid of helping bring about the death of Claire and vows never to see her again. Will there ever be a reconciliation between mother and daughter?
Based on the best selling novel by Jane Fitch which was recommended by Oprah's Book Club, the movie explores the theme of the mother-daughter conflict. Told from the point of view of the daughter, the story unravels slowly, and progressively develops the characters. Flashbacks provide a subtle reference to the past like the occasional visuals of the white oleander which recall the lover's murder by its poison. The symbolism of Ingrid's favorite flower is apt, for Astrid describes her mother as the most beautiful woman yet so dangerous. Character delineation is greatly helped by the fine acting of the deglamourized Michelle Pfeiffer. As the beautiful blond Astrid who undergoes a metamorphosis, Alison Lohman not only holds the episodic story together but also delivers a moving performance. So does Renee Zellwegger as the sweet tragic foster mother Claire. The dialogue mirrors the conflict and brings out the theme clearly. This is a sad, dark story but there is no darkness in its visuals which abound in colorful costumes and scenes brightly drenched in the California sunlight.
Perhaps mothers and daughters (parents and children) can take a hint from this movie. The misunderstanding and distrust between Ingrid and Astrid stem from a lack of openness, truthfulness and sincerity. Thinking she knows best, the parent tries to protect the child from unsavory facts, hides or distorts these, but the lack of transparency is resented by the child who wishes to confront the truth regarding her identity and parenthood, no matter how unpleasant it is. The truth may be painful but it has to be told. Also the over protective mother discourages the daughter from forming new attachments and relationships with the aim of protecting her from people who may want to use her. Ingrid's experiences have taught her to be wary and distrustful. She probably does not want the same experiences to happen to Astrid but she comes out as controlling, jealous and selfish. Parents should be careful about being heavy-handed or their good intentions of nurturing affection and appreciation in the offspring, may instead smother that affection. On the part of the daughter, Astrid later feels that Ingrid's love for her has always been there though perhaps wrongly expressed at times. And she realizes the pain could have been avoided.
WHITE OLEANDER
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