The movie, The Oranges, isf now available on Blu-ray and digital download. It stars Hugh Laurie, Allison Janney, Catherine Keener, Leighton Meester, Oliver Platt, Alia Shawkat and Adam Brody.
The Oranges is the story of two suburban families – the Wallings and the Ostroffs. They do everything together including spending holidays together and jogging together. Their children even grew up together. If Carol Ostroff had her way their only child, Nina, would marry the Walling’s son Toby, making the friends into a family.
Carol and Terry Ostroff have just one child, a twenty-something year old daughter named Nina. Nina is a bit of a free spirit who feels smothered by her parents. She has not been home to see them in five years. This year the Ostroffs are hopeful their daughter will be home for Thanksgiving but she refuses to come home because she just got engaged and doesn’t want to come home to her parents only to be judged because of her choices.
Across the street lives the Walling family. David and Paige no longer have a great relationship. They are more room mates than spouses. Their daughter Vanessa lives with them while she plans her big move into NYC. Their son Toby has already flown the coop but comes home from time to time to visit.
Unexpectedly Nina returns home (her parents soon learn that she had called off her engagement). Nina regrets coming home and only plans on staying a few days.
Nina’s parents are always on her back (most especially her mother) and her childhood friend, Vanessa Ostroff, doesn’t want anything to do with her. The only person who Nina can talk to his David Walling.
One thing leads to another and Nine and David embark on an affair. They did their best to keep it a secret but once it secret is out it turns everyone’s lives upside down – but not necessarily in a bad way. In fact, their affair might just be the best thing that has ever happened to both families. To find out why you need to pick up a copy of The Oranges which is available on Blu-ray and Digital Download.
I found the film to be a bit slow at times. I also hard a hard time telling if this was a comedy, drama or “dramedy’ (part drama, part comedy). I think it was meant to be more of a comedy but I found some of the storylines to be a bit “deep” and intense.
Leighton Meester and Hugh Laurie (Nina Ostroff and David Walling) played their characters so well that I found myself rooting for them, even though they were the ones who had an affair. I felt especially sorry for David who was stuck in a loveless marriage with his wife Paige. Paige didn’t seem to have time for David and when she did she was harping on him for one thing or another. They were leading two different lives even though they lived together.
I found it interesting how the film makers took something as serious as an affair and found a way to put a positive spin on it.
The Oranges is rated R. I doubt I would let my almost 16 year old watch the movie. I think the subject matter is better suited for adults.
Look for The Oranges where ever movies are sold. You can also check out the film’s official website, WelcometotheOranges.com. Ther you can find videos, photos, information about the cast and crew and more. The website does mention that the film is in theaters. It’s not. It’s now on Blu-ray and Digital Download.
You can also check out the film on Facebook and Twitter.
Here is the film’s trailer for your convenience. You can also find the trailer on the film’s website.
In the film the character of Vanessa Walling (twenty something years old) still lives at home with her parents while she gets her life’s “game plan” in order. Check out these great tips from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.
So, Your Still Living at Home?
In The Oranges, two suburban families are squeezed when a rebellious daughter Nina (Leighton Meester) returns home and begins an adulterous affair with long-time family friend David Walling (Hugh Laurie). The story is told from the perspective of recent college grad/moved-back-in-with-her-parents, Vanessa (Alia Shawkat), who’s caught in the middle of it all. Moving back home may not be the most ideal situation, but here are some tips we’ve learned from watching Vanessa maintain.
Tip #1: Own Your Space – Remember that place you used to hide as a kid? It could have been your favorite tree or a special nook where you built your forts? Recreate that space for yourself now as an adult. Find that one spot in your apartment or transform your bedroom or office and make it truly yours. It’s vital to your emotional and mental well being to have a place where you can unwind, cry, laugh, and sometimes hide from your…overbearing mother.
Tip #2: Remember Your Parents Were Young Once Too – It’s normal to become irritated from the lack of privacy, but you can take this opportunity to learn something new about your parents. They have vast insights at your disposal: embarrassing dating stories, financial woes, cooking tips and more! Save the money you’d use for a therapy session and tap into that parental resource of knowledge. Like Carol (Allison Janney) and Nina (Leighton Meester), you might rediscover a connection you lost during those rebellious teenage years.
Tip #3: Keep Your Siblings Close – If your sibling doesn’t currently live at home, this actually works in your favor. Not only does visiting your brother or sister give you more space, but depending on where they live, it also can double as a mini vacation. In exchange for room and board, you can also provide the most up-to-date family gossip to your estranged sibling. Vanessa’s older brother Toby (Adam Brody) was spared from learning of his father’s affair with his love interest but had his sister to soften the blow when he ultimately discover the truth.
Tip #4: Take on More Responsibility – Given today’s economic climate, many young adults live at home, but for those that have simply feared being leaving the comfort of the nest – perhaps try do take on a few activities that are normally outside your comfort zone. Volunteer with a local charity or get a pet! Look for a job with a leadership position to increase not only your experience but also your confidence. Vanessa has her eyes on a dream job with a furniture design firm. What motivates you to get you moving?
Tip #5: Keep It Balanced – Living at home may not always enable you to play hostess for swanky dinner parties, but that’s no reason to hide inside. Explore the advantages that come with living at home; like being able to venture out and escape to a party and then retreat to a quiet night with a new Blu-ray and your favorite sweet treat.
We hope that these tips will help you to survive family antics while pursuing “you-time” in the process. For more lessons on how to deal from Vanessa be sure and check out The Oranges, available today on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
Kimberly
*I received a free screener copy in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and were not influenced in any way.
April Yedinak says
Thanks for the great review. I had never even heard of this movie, but it has some of my favorite character actors in it. I am definitely going to check it out. It will be interesting to me to see how I feel about a May-December extramarital affair, because usually the whole idea makes me gag.
Tammy S says
Thank you for the review. I haven’t heard of this film before. I love Hugh Laurie and Oliver Platt. It might be one of those movies that I wait until it comes on one of the cable channels for free. Thanks for the review!
ANN*H says
I have not heard about this movies before. Thanks for the great review on it. It is one I would probably like to watch. Living at home seems to be quite a norm thing lately for teens and 20 somethings. Its a hard life for everyone.
Robin Wilson says
I do not remember seeing any previews for this movie, though I really like Hugh Laurie so I think it would have caught my attention. Maybe I missed that it went straight to DVD. Sounds like a really cute movie…Will as my son if he has heard of it, maybe it is on On-Demand…. Thanks!
Holly @ Woman Tribune says
How have I not heard of this movie before, especially considering Hugh Laurie, Leighton Meester, and Catherine Keener are in it!? I have to see this. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!