White Oleander

2002
12A
1h 49m

IMDb RATING

7.1/10

35K

YOUR RATING

Michelle Pfeiffer, Renée Zellweger, Robin Wright, and Alison Lohman in White Oleander (2002)

Play trailer0:31

9 Videos

70 Photos

Drama

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

Director
- Peter Kosminsky
Writers
- Janet Fitch
- Mary Agnes Donoghue
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.1/10

35K

YOUR RATING

Director
- Peter Kosminsky
Writers
- Janet Fitch
- Mary Agnes Donoghue
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 3 wins & 7 nominations total

Videos9

Trailer 0:31

White Oleander

Clip 0:56

White Oleander Scene: This Is Starr Thomas

Clip 0:56

White Oleander Scene: This Is Starr Thomas

Clip 1:20

White Oleander Scene: I Won't Bite

Clip 1:12

White Oleander Scene: First Time In Mac?

Clip 1:03

White Oleander Scene: Additional Scenes

Clip 1:05

White Oleander Scene: How Long Has My Mother Been Writing You?

Photos70

+ 64

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Alison Lohman wore a wig because she was bald throughout this movie, as she had just previously filmed a role as a cancer patient.

Goofs
When Astrid, Starr, and Carolee are driving to go get clothes, Starr refers to the reverend of their church as "Reverend Thomas." However, in every other scene before and after this, the reverend is referred to as "Reverend Daniels." Perhaps his name is Thomas Daniels.

Quotes
Ingrid: Don't attach yourself to anyone who shows you the least bit of attention because you're lonely. Loneliness is the human condition. No one is ever going to fill that space. The best you can do is know yourself... know what you want.

Alternate versions
Additional scenes featured on the DVD release that is not from the final print:
A scene where Astrid defends her brother (in the first foster home) after Starr beats him up.
A scene immediately after featuring Astrid and her brother (still in the first foster home) lying to the parademic asking how he broke his arm.
A scene where Claire can't decide which cereal they want to eat for breakfast and makes Astrid choose one.
A scene featuring Claire and Astrid riding home in the car after visiting Ingrid (Michelle Pfeiffer). Claire tells Astrid what Ingrid told her.
A scene where Astrid is drawing Claire's picture and Mark asking Astrid if she took his pen.
A scene where Astrid leaves to go back to Mac. Mark asks Astrid if she wants to go to Claire's funeral in which she declines to. He then gives her a lot of money before getting to the van.

Connections
Featured in HBO First Look: The Journey of 'White Oleander' (2002)

Soundtracks
Melissa's Dream
Written by Earl Rose
Performed by Earl Rose

User reviews180

Review

Featured review

8/10

Superb film version of a fine novel

Strong performances by Lohman, Penn, Zellweger and especially Michelle Pfeiffer in a faithful adaptation of Janet Fitch's novel. Not hard to see why this one didn't attract more attention in theaters, since it lacks the ingredients that seem to characterize hit films nowadays -- such as action, violence, sex and stunning special effects. It's just a very moving story, well-crafted and well-acted. I'd recommend it to anyone.