While I love all the performances in this film, I just do not see why this story had to be told. I feel that there was no reason for it. But from a technical stand-up it's fine, if the story has no reason, mostly because there is nothing to be said h... (read more) While I love all the performances in this film, I just do not see why this story had to be told. I feel that there was no reason for it. But from a technical stand-up it's fine, if the story has no reason, mostly because there is nothing to be said here that hasn't already been said, in better ways.

Don't even bother with the movie. Go read the book instead.

a very heart touching story!

this was a work of cinematic art. i am so glad i discovered this movie! and alison lohman, who is a fabulous actress. of course it is based on the book by janet fitch, which is huge and i have never read, but the actors and actresses in this movie... (read more) this was a work of cinematic art. i am so glad i discovered this movie! and alison lohman, who is a fabulous actress. of course it is based on the book by janet fitch, which is huge and i have never read, but the actors and actresses in this movie all did spectacular jobs bringing the characters to life, and i never get sick of watching this gem of a film.

I read the book this was based on some time ago and I was very pleased with what they did with the film adaptation. Even though I had imagined some of the characters slightly different from the actors they used Alison Lohman's portrayal of Astrid was... (read more) I read the book this was based on some time ago and I was very pleased with what they did with the film adaptation. Even though I had imagined some of the characters slightly different from the actors they used Alison Lohman's portrayal of Astrid was fantastic! She portrayed the transformation of an innocent, incandescent young girl as she goes through a string of foster homes until she finds the strength within her to free herself of the haunting shadow of her mother.

Much of the pleasure to be had in White Oleander is in watching its female stars revel in their screen time.

This is a third-person story now, told by Hollywood, and much more ordinary for it.

The film takes the materials of human tragedy and dresses them in lovely costumes, Southern California locations and star power.

At its best it offers pleasures similar to those of 1940s women's melodramas.

The estrogen overload damn near did me in.