Kimo Wills Movies
The Oprah Book Club best-seller by Janet Fitch makes it to the big screen in this adaptation from British director Peter Kosminsky. White Oleander recounts the traumatic adolescence of Astrid Magnusson (Alison Lohman), who finds herself an orphan after her short-fused, enigmatic artist mother Ingrid (Michelle Pfeiffer) is carted off to prison on murder charges. Astrid first finds herself in the care of Starr (Robin Wright Penn), a garish, born-again mother of two with a gruff but sensitive boyfriend (Cole Hauser). From there, she's shunted back to a state-run facility, where she tangles with other troubled teens and finds temporary solace in the arms of Paul (Patrick Fugit), a dough-faced comic book artist with dreams of moving to New York City. Astrid then lucks into a living arrangement with a successful but insecure actress (Renee Zellweger) who offers her unconditional love. But Ingrid's stifling influence continues to haunt her daughter, whether through the occasional prison visit or via manipulative letters to Astrid's caretakers. White Oleander received a Gala North American premiere at the 2002 Toronto Film Festival before reaching multiplexes later that fall. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alison Lohman, Michelle Pfeiffer, (more)
Jenniphr Goodman makes her directorial debut with this film about an overweight slacker who has an unusual ability to attract the ladies. The film opens in Santa Fe with portly Don Juan Dex (Donal Logue) at his college reunion. Two of his school day conquests comment about how much weight Dex has gained since graduation. He gamely flirts with a student bartender, but he finds himself attracted to Syd (Greer Goodman) the attractive blonde drummer of the band. Later, Dex tries to teach one of his desperate roommates the "Tao of Steve" (as in 1960s swinging stud Steve McQueen). Rule one: feign a complete lack of interest in anything physical. Rule two: do something excellent in order to demonstrate your "sex-worthiness." Yet when wooing Syd, he finds his prowess and his faith in the Tao tested. Out of desperation, he shows all his cards and tells her he is in love with her. She fires back with the revelation that they actually once had sex back during college. Though initially flummoxed, he continues to pursue her until she invites him on a backpacking trip up in the mountains. After an unfortunate incident involving some guy and a fist, Syd nurses Dex back to health, and soon romantic sparks fly. This film was screened at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Donal Logue, Greer Goodman, (more)
