White Oleander

Aroview: Drama of maternal-deprival sees teenager Alison Lohman cut adrift in the world when her poet mother (Pfeiffer) is jailed for murder.

Passing through various sets of surrogate parents, her gradual maturing is portrayed with a certain nuance and cold-eyed clarity, notwithstanding a certain few stereotypes as well. All in all, a stringent, enjoyable tale. Adapted from the Oprah Winfrey-promoted novel by Janet Fitch.