Astrid is a teen traveling between foster homes while her controlling mother serves a prison term for murder.

Somewhat less sorrowful than your standard tearjerker but clearly not the feel good movie of the year, White Oleander is a fairly well written and superbly acted drama.

The story is set up as a series of meetings and partings (kinda like life) so we're given splashes of new supporting characters. Each one is treated with just right amount of content and a good performance to boot. I was especially impressed with Renee Zellweger's portrayal of a neglected wife. Where many would have gone overboard vying for audience sympathy, Zellweger gives a light touch to the role that serves it very well.

Further acting kudos go to Pfieffer as the jailed mom and to newcomer Alison Lohman, as Astrid. Lohman had a nice emotional range in her portrayal of a complex character.

Directed by Peter Kosminsky.