The Oranges

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The Oranges
Starring Hugh Laurie, Leighton Meester, Alia Shawkat, Oliver Platt
Directed by Julian Farino

In the New Jersey suburb called the Oranges, there is two families that have been best friends for years.  David (Hugh Laurie), his wife Paige (Catherine Keener), and their children Vanessa (Alia Shawkat) and Toby (Adam Brody) have been friends with Terry (Oliver Platt), his wife Cathy (Allison Janney) and daughter Nina (Leighton Meester).

Nina and Vanessa were best friends growing up until Nina went with the popular crowd, and is now living away from her family.  When her boyfriend cheats on her, she returns home and begins a shocking relationship with David - who is far older, and is also married.  When the families find out what's happening, their friendship suffers and each of them goes through a transformation that significantly alters their lives forever.

The story is interesting enough, but it lacks depth.  The director tried too hard to force too many different stories into a short time frame, and none of the characters fully develop into what they should've been, especially the relationship between Nina and Vanessa, which is never fully explained.  It's funny enough, but not a laugh-out-loud riot.  In the end, it turns into a very mediocre dramedy, not one to be remembered.  Not to mention this is supposed to take place in New Jersey around Christmastime and there's absolutely no snow until the end.

My Rating: C+

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