6.8
Viewer Rating
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources
White Oleander (2002)
White Oleander (2002)
Overview
A teenager journeys through a series of foster homes after her mother goes to prison for committing a crime of passion.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Rating & Dimensions
Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Center
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
LGBTQ: Positive
Christianity: Negative
Viewer Rating
6.8
Overview
A teenager journeys through a series of foster homes after her mother goes to prison for committing a crime of passion.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Detailed Bias Analysis
Analyzing...
Center
Primary
The film primarily explores themes of individual resilience, identity formation, and the psychological impact of a toxic parent, with the foster care system serving as a challenging backdrop rather than the subject of a direct political critique. Its focus on personal agency and self-discovery keeps its narrative largely apolitical.
The film features a predominantly white cast in its main and significant supporting roles, consistent with the source material. The narrative focuses on personal and psychological struggles, without explicitly critiquing traditional identities or centering on DEI themes.
Secondary
The film features Paul, a gay foster parent, who offers Astrid a period of stability and kindness. His character and relationship are depicted with dignity and empathy, free from negative stereotypes or narrative judgment. This portrayal contributes positively to the film's overall message, affirming LGBTQ+ identity.
The film portrays Christianity primarily through the character of Starr, whose born-again faith is depicted as a source of hypocrisy, self-righteousness, and abuse. Her religious fervor is shown to enable her manipulative and harmful behavior towards Astrid, without significant counterbalancing positive portrayals.
The film "White Oleander" does not feature any identifiable transsexual characters or themes. The narrative focuses on the protagonist's experiences within the foster care system and her relationships, without engaging with transgender identity.
The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.
The film "White Oleander" is an adaptation of Janet Fitch's novel. All major characters, including Astrid and Ingrid Magnussen, retain their established genders from the source material in the movie. There are no instances of characters being portrayed as a different gender than their canonical depiction.
Based on the 1999 novel, the film adaptation maintains the established racial portrayals of its characters. No major or legacy character depicted in the source material as one race is portrayed as a different race in the 2002 movie.
Viewer Rating Breakdown
User Ratings
7.1
7.1
Critic Ratings
6.9
6.1
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