Too much of everything

recommended

Fantastic!

If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.

ORANGES AND SUNSHINE is an angry movie, that gains much of its power from the unemotional way in which director Jim Loach tells the story. There are no scenes of overt violence; rather he lets the middle- aged victims of government policy in the mid-Fifties tell their stories to Margaret Humphreys (Emily Watson) in harrowing detail.In the immediate post-war period, extending right up to 1970, the British government transported "orphans" - as they euphemistically put it - to Australia with the promise of uninterrupted sunshine and oranges every day (hence the film's title). None of the children were "orphans"; rather they were the illegitimate offspring of women who had "got into trouble" and had their babies forcibly taken away from them by the authorities. The policy of enforced transportation took these unwanted children off the government's (and the charities') hands.ORANGES AND SUNSHINE tells the stories of these children, all of whom have now grown up. Many of them experienced almost unbearable horrors during their formative years; and until Margaret gives them the chance, they have had little or no opportunity to talk about these experiences. Set in the late Eighties, the film depicts Margaret's struggles both to find the children's natural parents, as well as persuade some of the authorities involved to admit their culpability all those years ago.The action shifts between Nottingham in the United Kingdom and various parts of Australia. As portrayed by Watson, Margaret comes across as an indomitable yet sympathetic figure, who never gives up on her clients, despite many attempts to dissuade her. The clients, who include Jack (Hugo Weaving) and Len (David Wenham) find it difficult to come to terms with their pasts, even four decades later. One sequence is particularly harrowing where Margaret and Len visit the Brotherhood in the wilds of Australia; their impressions are intercut with interviews from other victims about what happened to them while staying with the Brothers when they were children. Out of sight, out of mind provided a convenient pretext for many of them to suffer the most unimaginable indignities.ORANGES AND SUNSHINE ends with a series of black-and-white archive footage of some of the real-life children smiling innocently at the camera as they boarded the ships bound for Australia. Their wide- eyed expectations of the adventure to follow contrast starkly with what really happened. We know a lot about what happened to prisoners during the Nazi period; what makes this film so powerful is that many of these children experienced similar treatment at the hands of representatives of so-called 'democratic' nations.

A technically well made film of a deeply shameful episode in the history of UK government, social workers and charities, most of whom have yet to learn the necessity of transparency or accountability. But the central character of Margaret is portrayed as a self satisfied, self righteous prig. Was she really like this? When accused by a female receptionist of lying, she states categorically "I do not tell lies, ever." Really? She is the only human being in history to achieve this feat.It was exactly that arrogant, delusional attitude which helped lead to the problem this film shows, and it's still appallingly common amongst the so-called professionals in the social work and policing fields. (A recent example in the UK was the widespread ignoring of teenage girls who got caught up in sex rings.) Margaret never displays inappropriate feelings and acts entirely in accordance with 21st century mores - not those of the 1980s. Ultimately, this is a Disneyfied version of what must have been a much more problematic and complex story. It feels nothing like reality.For example: the meeting at the Christian Brothers' house is presented with The Great Saint Margaret sitting on high in judgement over the inferior beings who are just trying to eat a simple meal. We are not told which, if any, of those men committed any of the heinous crimes against children many years previously. This is dreadful film making and very dishonest. I cannot believe that this woman could have been so self-denying - it would have made her unbearable to live with.

The story of Margaret Humphreys, a social worker in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, who set out to rectify the truth about 130,000 British children deported to Australia with horror stories of slave labor and abuse by their caretakers. This film covers only a part of the story and her devotion to uncover the truth and reunite them with their birth families. Filmed in both England and Australia, the film highlights the contrast of worlds. The supporting cast is first rate but the film is based on the book. Hugo Weaving plays Jack, one of the adults looking for his birth mother. He gives a moving performance. Michael Denham plays Len who comes first across as arrogant and unlivable. I never expected to see him again in the film and surprised by his character. It is a great film with an award winning performance by Emily Watson.

I confess to stumbling in a daze from the theatre after experiencing Ms. Emily Watson's performance in this fine film. Few actors can touch the very soul of viewers and rip their hearts from their chests as she once again profoundly changes life views with stunning performance after stunning performance. In this film, it borders on almost too much to bear. Ms. Watson puts so much of her own being into this role, her own humanity and essence, that it is impossible to be less than anything but mesmerized by her. This is an actor in command of all she touches, a monarch of the stage and screen who rules over all she surveys. Her career is marked by unusual choices in roles, roles that no other actor would dare approach. This is the case here as well. Ms. Watson literally sets the screen afire with a performance of such power that you will never be the same again after experiencing it. This is great acting defined. What is truly amazing is that for Ms. Emily Watson, it is par for the course. She continues to be the most talented, gifted actor of her generation as well as of all others.