Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit (1990) (TV)

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Director:

Beeban Kidron

Writers:

Jeanette Winterson (novel)
Jeanette Winterson (screenplay)

Release Date:

10 January 1990 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Jessica's extraordinarily strong will and heart enables her to rebel against her fanatical, cult-like upbringing...

Plot Keywords:

Friendship | Nonlinear Timeline | Mother Daughter Relationship | Brainwashing | Lesbian

Awards:

8 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Charlotte Coleman	...	Jess
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Mark Aspinall	...	Ian
Emily Aston	...	Small Jess
Sharon Bower	...	Mrs. Vole
Cathryn Bradshaw	...	Melanie
Kenneth Cranham	...	Pastor Finch
Freda Dowie	...	Mrs. Green
James Duggan	...	Second fisherman
Pam Ferris	...	Mrs. Arkwright
Peter Gordon	...	William
Richard Henders	...	Graham
Barbara Hicks	...	Cissy
Celia Imrie	...	Miss Jewsbury
Ken Kitson	...	First fisherman
Maggie Lane	...	First ice cream woman
Geraldine McEwan	...	Mother
Chris McNulty	...	Child in Classroom
Katy Murphy	...	Mrs Virtue
Tania Rodrigues	...	Katy
Norma Shebbeare	...	Dust Pan
Elizabeth Spriggs	...	May
Tamar Swade	...	Church pianist
David Thewlis	...	Doctor
Sophie Thursfield	...	Jess's real mother
Mandy Walsh	...	Second ice cream woman
Margery Withers	...	Elsie

Runtime:

UK:55 min (3 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Accrington, Lancashire, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Poignant and compelling portrayal.

This made-for-television gem is made all the more poignant by the untimely death of Charlotte Coleman (Jess)in 2001. Ms. Coleman provides a touching and heart felt performance. The cult-like nature of her upbringing along with her strength in the face of such almost fanatical religiosity shows the value of forbearance in the face of such adversity. The entire cast provide solid and almost chillingly real acting within the storyline. Jess is the epitome of forgiveness and understanding given the predicament she finds herself in. This program is well worth a look if only for the thought provoking nature of the subject matter. This film received several awards and stands the test of time. In a way the production was ahead of its time with its frank assessment of Jess's personality. You can't runaway from your self.