White Oleander

White Oleander (2002) starring Alison Lohman, Robin Wright Penn, Michelle Pfeiffer, Renee Zellweger. After her mother Ingrid (Pfeiffer) murders her lover, Astrid (Lohman) is chucked into the foster care system and has a variety of experiences, all bad. Ingrid remains a strong influence in her daughter's life, and she is not a good influence. Astrid's struggle to find herself and escape her mother's influence makes up most of the plot of this movie. It's a surprisingly good film, with good acting throughout. (Subtitles in English are offered, as well as closed captions.) Grade: B+