Review of The Oranges (2011) by Panta O — 30 Jul 2013

At first thought that this romantic comedy/drama mix could deliver, mainly relying on the cast starring Hugh Laurie, Leighton Meester, Catherine Keener, Oliver Platt, Allison Janney, Alia Shawkat, and Adam Brody. It was directed by Julian Farino (debut as motion picture director), and the story deals with a scandal involving a married man and his friends' daughter. Not a comfortable story but offers lots of opportunities. The weakest part was the screenplay which didn?t use all these opportunities these situations were giving. When you have one couple, David and Paige Walling (Hugh Laurie and Catherine Keener) being friends for decades with Terry and Cathy Ostroff (Oliver Platt and Allison Janney) and as best friends and neighbours share everything , it is missed opportunity if you concentrate only on the affair. Nina Ostroff (Leighton Meester), newly broken up with her fiancé (Sam Rosen), returns home for Thanksgiving after a five-year absence. Rather than developing an interest in the successful son of her neighbours, Toby Walling (Adam Brody), which would please both families, it's her parents' best friend David who captures Nina's attention? and instead of hell braking loose? everything was pretty lame for a reaction! On the other hand, the script, written by Jay Reiss and Ian Helfer, appeared on 2008's Black List of best unproduced work; funny part is that list also featured The Beaver and Inglourious Basterds.

I still think that the casting was superb but it's a familiar story and even superb cast could not make it fresh. I cannot say I didnt enjoy it ! I loved how the film examines the interpersonal dynamics in an honest way, but for a higher score this movie needed to deliver little sharper, and cuts a little deeper: something that demands more of its performers, and delivers more to its audience.