The Oranges (2011)

"The Oranges" (2012 release; 90 min.) brings the story of two married couples living across the street from each other. There is Terry and Cathy Ostroff (played by Oliver Platt and Allison Janney). Terry and Cathy are best friends with David and Paige Walling (played by Hugh Laurie and Catherine Keener), whose marriage is not going well and whose twenty-something yr. old daughter Vanessa still lives with them. This is in sharp contrast with Terry and Cathy's daughter (and Vanessa's childhood friend) Nina (played by Leighton Meester), who is living "la vida loca" in San Francisco. Things go unexpectedly sour for Nina who, tails between her legs, moves in with her parents. The two families are enjoying their time together, until Nina and David develop a crush on each other (despite their significant age difference). At that point we are about one-third into the movie, and to tell you more of the plot would simply ruin your viewing experience. But as you can well imagine, all kinds of crazy situations develop from there, some of them funny, others bittersweet, and yet other moments outright sad.

Several comments: Hugh Laurie (yes, he of the "House" TV series) shows again with this performance how versatile he really is. (Remember a year ago he released an album "Let Them Talk", which was critically well-received.) I'm sure it had to be a relief for Laurie to be playing a character so vastly different from "House". However, Catherine Keener and Oliver Platt also bring choice performances. It's difficult to assess Leighton Meester, as it is hard to make that leap of faith to see what she sees in David, who is twice her age. Also it is a bit strange that the movie was released in early October (when I saw it at the Landmark E Street Theatre in Washington), as the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays play a significant role in the movie.

All that aside, the bottom line is that this movie is more than just a 'romantic comedy', as the movie brings home some poignant moments. I found myself enjoying this movie a lot more than I had expected. If you are in the mood for one of those "little indie movies that could", "The Oranges" is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

This is another feel good, feel awkward, sometimes humorous indie. The beginning of the film establishes the characters of the six main players. Two families are best friends. They do everything together, but not all is well. David Walling (Hugh Laurie) has been sleeping on the couch. His daughter Vanessa (Alia Shawkat) does some first person narration. Growing up she was best friends with Nina (Leighton Meester) who is part of the second family. Unlike Vanessa, Nina is a free spirit and Vanessa sees her as the antagonist.

Nina breaks up with her boyfriend and comes home for Thanksgiving after two years. The parents hope to fix her up with Toby Walling (Adam Brody), but Nina has suddenly developed a taste for older men, older married men who sleep on the couch. They are quickly discovered and the film goes into a mild disaster mode with crude comments from Nina's mom (Allison Janney) and snarky remarks from the hurt Vanessa.

The film had some funny parts, but for the most part it simply makes you smile at the awkward situation. The characters were well developed. The dialouge was decent. It has appeal and is worth a view, at least once. Leighton Meester did a great job.

Parental Guide: F-bomb. No sex or nudity. Some crude sex talk.

Buy The Oranges (2011) Now

This is more of a TV "sit-com" than an actual movie, and there is very little to recommend it. Not even Catherine Keener can save it. As to the plot, it tries to superimpose outlandish humor and over-the-top acting onto a more serious sexual/marital dilemma. And the formula doesn't work. In fact, there aren't very many laughs or social insights to be derived from this film.

Read Best Reviews of The Oranges (2011) Here

I love Hugh Laurie. However, reading the brief description first on Amazon didn't outline the plot. It said, "Fresh-squeezed laughs and sexy fun sweeten this critically-acclaimed comedy with an all-star cast."

How was I to know that this movie showcased Hugh Laurie's "zipper trouble" with his best friend's 20 year-old DAUGHTER.

He watched his best friend's little girl grow up. Then he had lots of sex with her. Yuck.

His character struck me as a Woody Allen wannabe.

If my best friend's husband pulled that stunt with my own beautiful 20 year-old daughter, my husband and I would star in a new movie stealing the title "There Will Be Blood."

What a stinker.

Want The Oranges (2011) Discount?

This film is a waste of Hugh Lauries (and our) time, a sophomoric half assed comedy that isn't funny...how un-funny

Save 50% Off