The Oranges (2011)

The enduring friendship between the Walling and Ostroff families is tested when Nina, the prodigal Ostroff daughter, returns home for the holidays after a five-year absence and enters into an affair with David, head of the Walling family.

Director:

Julian Farino

Writers:

Ian Helfer, Jay Reiss

Stars:

Leighton Meester, Hugh Laurie, Catherine Keener

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Alia Shawkat	...	Vanessa
Hugh Laurie	...	David
Oliver Platt	...	Terry
Allison Janney	...	Cathy
Catherine Keener	...	Paige
Ian Helfer	...	Christmas Caroler
Marceline Hugot	...	Christmas Caroler
Laura Flanagan	...	Christmas Caroler
Curtis McClarin	...	Christmas Caroler
Jay Reiss	...	Christmas Caroler
Sarah Saltzberg	...	Christmas Caroler
Sam Rosen	...	Ethan
Leighton Meester	...	Nina
Adam Brody	...	Toby
Aya Cash	...	Maya

Storyline

In conservative West Orange, New Jersey, the Ostroff and Walling families are very close. David Walling and Terry Ostroff are inseparable best friends and run together everyday. David has problems with his wife, Paige. He frequently sleeps alone in his office. Their daughter, Vanessa, is frustrated because she has not succeeded in her career as a designer. Their son, Toby, is moving to China on a temporary assignment. Terry's wife, Cathy, ignores him. Their daughter Nina moved to San Francisco five years ago. Near Thanksgiving, Nina's boyfriend Ethan betrays her at his birthday party and Nina returns to her parents house. Nina argues with her mother and draws closer to David. Soon they have an affair and fall in love, turning the lives of the people close to them upside-down.

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Plot Keywords:

thanksgiving | restaurant | christmas lights | christmas carol | fired from the job | 

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Taglines:

Sex. Betrayal. Scandal. Make yourself at home.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language including sexual references, and some drug use

Did You Know?

Trivia

Paul Wesley auditioned for the role of Ethan.

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Goofs

When David and Nina kiss on the sofa, her hands go from being down by her side, then move up and hold his face when they begin to kiss. Cut to TV then cut back again; they are still kissing but her hands are still tucked down by her side

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Quotes

[First lines]
Vanessa: [narrating] The question of happiness has preoccupied philosophers, poets and pharmaceutical companies for thousands of years. Clearly, it's a tricky one.

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Connections

Referenced in Room (2015)

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Soundtracks

Sweet Defeat
Written and Performed by Jon Allen
Courtesy of Downtown Music Services (DMS)
By arrangement with Monologue Records

User Reviews

5 Star Cast and Performances in Light Entertainment

I was keen to view this picture after seeing the trailer as I've seen all these actors in various roles over the years. There is such a great range of talent here and they all looked like they were having fun in a comedy with darker moments. This is a film about consequences after all and is not really a romcom romp nor a morality tale. It reminds me of a suburban memoir and the writing reflects this. The short season between Thanksgiving and Christmas has been done to death in American cinema, with all of the inherent conflicts, compulsory traditions and conspicuous consumption. The writers have used this backdrop to do something ever-so-slightly subversive.

Leighton Meester and Alia Shawkat are wonderful in their respective roles as the lifelong neighbours/friends who are further entangled in a world they really want to leave behind. I hope this becomes a Christmas classic. Hugh Laurie, Allison Janney, Catherine Keener & Oliver Platt - who could ask for anything more?

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 October 2012 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Oranges

Filming Locations:

Yonkers, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$198,461, 7 October 2012

Gross USA:

$366,377

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,316,971

Company Credits

Production Co:

ATO Pictures, Olympus Pictures, Likely Story

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1