MOVIE REVIEW ... ORANGES AND SUNSHINE

 

Proof Jim Loach is a chip of the old directorial block is evidenced with his first film.  Son of famed Director Ken Loach, whose films have dealt with many social issues, he continues this tradition with an engrossing study of shattered lives.  Turning a true story into a compelling piece, he reveals much promise for a steady cinematic career.

Margaret Humphreys (Emily Watson) was a social worker who uncovered an old British government scheme called ‘home children’.  Created to forcibly remove and relocate children from poor families to Australia and Canada, she travelled the world determined to fix this injustice.  Hearing tales of abuse and neglect from wounded adults wanting to reunite with loved ones, her own family was put through the emotional wringer.  Gaining world-wide attention for her cause, it marked a significant step in repairing damage caused decades ago. 

Discarding the melodramatic elements other film-makers usually place in similar stories, Oranges and Sunshine succeeds in dealing with pure facts.  The tales of harsh cruelty the children suffered at the hands of their supposed carers is difficult to hear and is more disturbing as most was in the recent past.  Their shattered emotional state as adults and the hypocrisy of certain organisations is dealt with genuine feeling from a good cast and arresting screenplay.

Loach’s solid handling of the material effectively conveys the anguish those left behind felt.  Although fascinating to watch, the film has a bit too much to work with, as more characters enter the frame and vie for attention.  Some unfortunately become sidelined as quickly as the Australian/British landscape changes which fail to give it a crucial sense of narrative place.   Such qualms are minor as Oranges and Sunshine is a generally fine production any first time director could want. 

Oranges and Sunshine once again proves true stories are often more engaging than fictional ones.  It can only be hoped such actions never re-occur which the generations involved in this dark chapter of social history wouldn’t wish on anyone.

Movie Review Rating 7 / 10

Movie Review by Patrick Moore

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