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:

It's about to get juicy.

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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

Leighton Meester and Hugh Laurie worked together in House M.D. (2004). Ali, Meester's character in the series, too had a love interest in Dr. House (Laurie).

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Goofs

In the coffee shop, the position of David's hand in relation to his coffee cup changes in nearly every shot.

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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

Hors D'Oerve Time
Written and performed by Norman Harris
Courtesy of Manhattan Production Music

User Reviews

Rules, Happiness and Selfishness

In the conservative West Orange, New Jersey, the Ostroff and Walling families are very close to each other. David Walling (Hugh Laurie) and Terry Ostroff (Oliver Platt) are inseparable best friends and they use to run together everyday. David has problems with his wife Paige (Catherine Keener) and he frequently sleeps alone in the office. Their daughter Vanessa (Alia Shawkat) is a frustrated young woman since she was not well succeeded in her career of designer and their son Toby (Adam Brody) is moving to China in a temporary assignment. Terry's wife Cathy (Allison Janney) ignores him and their daughter Nina (Leighton Meester) moved to San Francisco five years ago.

Near the Thanksgiving, Nina's boyfriend Ethan (Sam Rosen) betrays her in her birthday party and Nina returns to the house of her parents. Nina has frictions with her mother and she stays close to David. Soon they have an affair and fall in love with each other, turning the lives of people close to them upside-down.

"The Oranges" is an original movie about rules, happiness and selfishness. The story shows how selfish people are in an unusual situation that does not follow the establishment. Paige is estranged from David and they are living in separate beds, keeping up appearances. But when David finds a young woman that brings happiness to his life, she has very selfish attitudes instead of divorcing him. Vanessa is a frustrated woman and when she sees the happiness of her father, she never tries to understand and supports him. Ethan is a complete douchebag and Leighton Meester is an adorable young woman. The reaction of Nina's parents is what the viewer would expect from the parents. The conclusion is decent and well resolved. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "A Filha do Meu Melhor Amigo" ("The Daughter of My Best Friend")

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