Hugh Laurie, Leighton Meester, Adam Brody, Oliver Platt, Catherine Keener, Allison Janney and Alia Shawkat make for great company. If I had to describe The Oranges in one sentence, I would say – It is a film about positive changes, which are born out of an inappropriate fling.
There are two families who happen to be neighbours and have been friends for a very long time. Well, it is a traditional representation of American suburban life, which gives us a hope about still existing solid community. Nina (Leighton Meester), daughter of Ostroff couple, is a quite typical (unsure about future, messed up) modern young woman, who celebrates her life and does not really think in long term. She comes home for Thanksgiving and starts a love affair with David (Hugh Laurie), who is much older than her, and he is the best friend of her dad. Somehow there is something appealing about this adultery case. One might suggest that David is suffering from middle age crisis, therefore without any consideration he falls far young woman’s charm, since it is a way how to experience youthfulness once again. When everyone finds out about David and Nina, they, of course, try to shame them or in other words everyone tries to express their ‘right’ moral values. We all have our stock of moral values and beliefs that we have learned in process of socialisation. As a society, we share these values, thus we all know that cheating on your partner is wrong.
Despite of the fact that adultery is wrong, this film shows that in mundane life we forget to notice what is happening around us and what the level of our overall satisfaction of life is. We are taught that at some point in life we should settle down and be happy with our chosen path, so we stop questioning ourselves – Am I happy? Is this what I really want to do? Is it the best what I can get? – Of course we cut out these questions, because they are not meant to be a part of a responsible adult’s life. This affair is like a push for everyone. David’s wife realises that she wants to devote herself to a charity work and goes to Africa, Vanessa (Alia Shawkat) finally moves on with her life, which she has been postponing for few years, constantly making up new excuses why not to start living today, Ostroff couple reinvents their relationship and finds much more pleasure in it.
One fling brought so many positive changes. Moreover, the film emphasises strength of real friendship. It is a very witty comedy, which sheds the light on complexity of human relationships and communication in general. Julian Farino has done a good work.
