Review of Oranges and Sunshine (2010) by Jérôme G — 20 Aug 2011

Oranges and Sunshine is Jim Loach's first feature film having directed TV dramas such as Shameless, Hotel Babylon and Waterloo Road. Jim Loach is the son of acclaimed director Ken Loach who films includes Kes and most recently Route Irish. Loach would want to step out of his father's shadow and Oranges and Sunshine is not a bad way to do it. His first feature film tackles a very serious issue with respect and sensitivity. Oranges and Sunshine also shows that when it comes to social injustice Jim Loach is just as understanding as his dad.

The film is named Oranges and Sunshine because of what the kids were promised; oranges to pick off the trees and constant sunshine but what they did get was years of hard and brutal slave labour, physical and sexual abuse and regular beatings. Based on a shocking true story Oranges and Sunshine follows Margaret Humphreys (Emily Watson) and her investigation into the acts of the British and Australian governments in which they took away the children of 'undesirables' (prostitutes and single mothers) and shipped them to Australia against their own free will. Set in the 1980s, when this scandal was unearthed, Oranges and Sunshine is a powerful film that brings shame to both governments. It was estimated that over 150,000 children from the age of 3 to 14 were sent to the former British colonies, spilt from their family and told lies that their mother was dead. A shocking and evil act in which 'the best interests of the children' were at the heart of those men (and women) behind the scheme, since it was unearthed in the 80s it took the Government over twenty years to apologise and take responsibility for what they had done. Sometimes true stories provide the most shocking moments.

Jim Loach, thankfully, avoids all the tedious melodrama that films based on true events are so often plagued with. So that means that Margret Humphrey's husband does not threaten to leave her and take their children with him. Margret does not have an affair with the people she is helping. These affairs and family issues are not added in for obvious reasons as it would distract the viewer at the real issue at heart, take all the emphasis away from the issue being disscussed, leaving the viewer unconnected and unmoved by the tragic stories. Not only would it be offensive and disrespectful it would be a massive error in judgement to include such melodramatic situations. This is a great thing as it means that Jim Loach tackles the sensitive issue in a low-key, respectful and moving manner. It's hard not to become moved, engaged and appuled by the stories told by many people about the experiences of childhood. The past drafts up memories of how they were shipped off to faraway lands in claustrophobic conditions, regularly beaten and forced to work in scorching heat without rest. Loach does an outstanding job at handling a very sensitive subject and keeps us utterly moved by not overplaying the sentimental aspects, the emotional scenes are not heavy handed or overdone but done with elegance and class resulting in a powerful and beautifully made film that will, without fail, tug at the heart strings.

Oranges and Sunshine becomes so much more moving and engaging due to the three superb performances by Emily Watson, Hugo Weaving and David Wenham (Lord of the Rings fans will know him as Faramir). Hugo Weaving is superb in the supporting role upstaging Emily Watson, who leads the cast; this is all down to one quite magnificent and heartbreaking scene in which Jack (played by Hugo Weaving) is given very important news. Emily Watson does a brilliant job in the central role and David Wenham turns a character that starts out as quite an arse to one who the audience is really sympathetic with. Emily Watson's performance is similar to the low key method of telling the story but yet never loses the power to leave them viewer in the sombre state. The emotional power of the stories of those who were deported to countries around the world becomes too much for her as she suffers Post Traumatic Stress disorder and these stories also leave the viewer in a state that only true stories like this can. All the performances are never melodramatic but done with quietness and gracefulness so that the sense of reality is heightened allowing for the emotional tug of the extraordinary and horrific story to the ever stronger.

Wonderfully shot and spellbindingly acted Oranges and Sunshine may have one or two issues with the script but the actor's performances overcome the weak link, bringing something mesmerising out of a very average script. Oranges and Sunshine remains a compelling, emotional and inspiring tale of quiet, understated heroism from a women simply doing her job and reuniting families together but some were never reunited. Released in only a handful of cinemas Oranges and Sunshine's low key performances and storytelling will never appeal to a wide range of people but those looking for something different Oranges and Sunshine will appeal to them. Oranges and Sunshine will likely take a place in my top 10 films of year.

4/5.