White Oleander (2002)

Director:

Peter Kosminsky

Writers (WGA):

Janet Fitch (novel)
Mary Agnes Donoghue (screenplay)

Release Date:

11 October 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Where does a mother end and a daughter begin?

Plot:

A teenager journeys through a series of foster homes after her mother goes to prison for committing a crime of passion.

Plot Keywords:

Prison | Foster Home | California | Flower | Letter

Awards:

3 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Amy Aquino	...	Miss Martinez
John Billingsley	...	Paramedic
Elisa Bocanegra	...	Girl in Fight
Darlene Bohorquez	...	Prisoner
Solomon Burke Jr.	...	Guard
Scott Allan Campbell	...	Bill Greenway
Sam Catlin	...	Teacher
Debra Christofferson	...	Marlena
Billy Connolly	...	Barry Kolker
Marc Donato	...	Davey Thomas
Svetlana Efremova	...	Rena Gruschenka
Patrick Fugit	...	Paul Trout
Vernon Haas	...	Guard
Sean Happy	...	Dirt Bike Boyfriend
Cole Hauser	...	Ray

Also Known As:

Weißer Oleander (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic elements concerning dysfunctional relationships, drug content, language, sexuality and violence.

Runtime:

109 min

Country:

USA | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Portugal:M/12 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Brazil:16 | Canada:PG | Denmark:11 | Finland:K-11 | Germany:12 | Iceland:12 | Netherlands:AL | Norway:11 | Peru:14 | Philippines:PG-13 | Singapore:PG | Sweden:11 | UK:12A (original rating) | UK:12 (video rating) (2004) | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Airport Courthouse - 11701 S. La Cienega Blvd., Ladera Heights, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Gaylord Films

Trivia:

In the film, Astrid's mom is an artist, while in the book her mom is a writer - showing an artist working would make the movie more interesting then showing a writer write.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Starr shoots Astrid by the window she gets shot in her right shoulder. When then have her on the gurney her left shoulder is injured.

Quotes:

Claire Richards: What was the best day of your life?
Astrid: Today.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Film Geek (2005)

Soundtrack:

Why'd They Make Me Bang

Very emotional and moving

This was an excellent movie, very emotional and moving.Michelle Pfeiffer looks more like she belongs in a beauty contest than in prison. She still did a good job with Ingrid, though. But it was Renee Zellweger who steals the show with her portrayal of Claire Richards, the suicidal foster mother. This is such a different role for her. It shows that she can act in dramas just as well as in comedies and thrillers. Allison Lohmann was very convincing in her role of Astrid, which I think this is her first big film.This is an excellent movie, but it is more of a chick flick than an 'everybody' movie. Also, don't watch this movie if you are in the mood to be cheered up lol, as although this is a great movie it is not a very happy one :)