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Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Binding: VHS Tape EAN: 0794051122032 Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC Label: BBC Warner Manufacturer: BBC Warner Number Of Items: 2 Publisher: BBC Warner Release Date: July 19, 2000 Running Time: 165 minutes Sales Rank: 39448 Studio: BBC Warner
Amazon.com: Jeanette Winterson's semi-autobiographical novel transfers wonderfully to the screen in this BBC adaptation (with a screenplay by Winterson). Jess is the adopted daughter of evangelical Christians living in the northwest of England during the 1960s. Her mother wants Jess to be a missionary, but when she falls in love with Melanie, Jess begins to realize that there is more to life than church.
When Jess's mother begins to suspect the girls of "unnatural passions" she tries to destroy their relationship with the help of Pastor Finch (Kenneth Cranham) and his congregation. But their efforts--including a terrifying attempt at exorcism--only push Jess further away. Jess eventually understands that the only way to survive is to escape, and she sets her sights on a place at Oxford.
Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit is both a broad comedy and a moving coming-of-age story. Charlotte Coleman is perfect as the teenage Jess, attempting to reconcile her religious devotion and her adolescent passion, but the film belongs to Geraldine McEwan as Jess's mother. McEwan obviously relishes Winterson's script, and she creates a character who is monstrous, ridiculous, and surprisingly sympathetic. It's a difficult role to carry off, but McEwan succeeds. Her performance is the high point of this award-winning, provocative film. --Simon Leake
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Great acting, good screenplay
If you liked the book, this is a good follow up. One of the best books and a really good film.
Rating: - Yes, "Powerful and Brilliant," but where's the DVD?
This is certainly an overlooked film if there ever was one. It can be very funny and moving, but yes, I can see that it might offend some sensibilities. Well, lot's of things offend my sensibilities -- and I simply don't buy them . . . I have no doubt that a DVD version would easily pay for the costs of making it. . . Incidentally, I just got my copy of Time Out 2003 (11th ed.) today and while browsing in the obits noticed that the young co-star, Charlotte Coleman (3 Apr 68 - 14 Nov 01) passed away a year ago. Google said it was a bad case of asthma. What a pity! She is much better known for her ... Read More
Rating: - Disturbing portrayal of opression
Oranges is a powerful film, showing the opression of Jess, a young girl uncertain of her own identity. Dealing with sexuality and religious extremists I found at times I was unsettled by the portrayal of the violence aimed at the young girl. Never the less Oranges is a brilliant film and must be watched in its entiretry to be fully appreciated.
Rating: - oranges are not the only fruit
I first saw this movie years ago in the early 90s when I happened to be up late one night channel-surfing. PBS aired the film from 12-3am, undoubtedly due to its homosexual content. Little did I know I was about to view one of the best gay-themed films I have seen to date. Although I am neither a lesbian (although I am gay), nor a product of a fundamentalist Pentecostal upbringing (I was brought up Catholic, "they're the worst" according to Jess' mother!), I strongly believe that any viewer, male or female, gay or straight, religious or secular, can identify with the plight of Jess, the obstinately ... Read More
Rating: - A Wonder and Adventurous Film about Life and Growing Up!
This video is a true classic representation about not only life in Northern England but about discovering yourself! It will truly lighten the spirits of anyone who is a nonconformist. The story is beautiful, heartwarming and full of life! The acting is brilliant and the cinematography captures scenes from the North of England that one rarely sees without living there! This is a timeless classic and indeed true to the book of the same tittle!
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