Greetings again from the darkness. Based on the terrific novel of the same name, director Peter Kosminsky's film version of "White Oleander" is quite powerful, yet at times, hollow and choppy. Due to the intricate details of the book, this is somewhat expected, however, as filmgoers, we do not get the full impact of the three years in Astrid's life. Stunning performances by Michelle Pfeiffer and Alison Lohman give the film its power. Their scenes together are as painful for us as for them. Pfeiffer, the most beautiful convict one will ever encounter, shoots a couple of "evil eyes" that are pure genius. She is truly a cobra - don't get too close. I really think Alison Lohman's performance is one of the best I have seen in a while. Touching, heart-breaking, independent, distant and loving, she longs for someone to trust. When she does find her soul mate, she fights the urge, assuming they will somehow disappoint each other. The movie is told through the episodes of each of her foster homes and her struggles to make them work. Robin Wright ("The Princess Bride") plays a sexy, desparate born-again Christian, who mistrusts Astrid, but needs the state funds. Rene Zellweger is fantastic as the broken, no self esteem, wanna-be actress who is desperate for companionship and finds it in Astrid. This is another of Astrids heartbreaking relationships and nearly turns her against the world. Patrick Fugit ("Almost Famous") offers a nice turn as the one who provides the out for Astrid. Subtlety abounds in his performance. Don't miss Billy Connally as the recepient of the flower in the title. Keep an eye out for future films with Alison Lohman - she shows much of the fine acting abilities of Jena Malone. These two should be fun to watch for years.

Astrid Magnussen (Alison Lohman) is the daughter of the independent artist and dominative single mother Ingrid Mahnussen (Michelle Pfeiffer). They live together in a beautiful uphill house. Her life changes when Ingrid poisons her boyfriend Barry Kolker (Billy Connolly), killing him. She is sent to the prison, for a thirty-five years sentence, and Astrid is sent to a foster house. She starts living with Starr Thomas (Robin Wright Penn), a former stripper and alcoholic woman, who embraced Jesus in the church Assembly of God, keeping the fosters in a kind of redemption penalty. Astrid learns religion, but Starr becomes jealous of the beauty of the teenager Astrid, who is becoming a woman, and they have a serious problem. Then, Astrid is sent to a horrible orphanage, where she learns how to fight for survival and she meets the orphan, artist and friend Paul Trout (Patrick Fugit). Later, she is sent to the mansion of the unsecured and problematic actress Claire Richards (Renée Zellweger), where she finally finds love. Last but not the least, she moves to live with the Russian trader Rena (Svetlana Efremova), where she learns how to negotiate. Astrid grows up and sees how dominant and manipulative her mother is, and in the end she is able to release her bonds with Ingrid. This movie is a wonderful story of a teenager, very dominated by her mother, who has a painful growing up. The stunning actress Alison Lohman has a magnificent performance as the teenager Astrid, changing her personality and appearance like a chameleon in accordance with the environment where she is living. I have never paid attention in this fantastic and bright actress, who is able to highlight in a movie with Michelle Pfeiffer, Robin Wright Penn and Renée Zellweger in the cast. Another point that called my attention was the American system of adoption, which seems that does not work well (unless the character of Astrid is very unlucky). A great movie and screenplay, with an excellent direction and an outstanding cast. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): `Deixe-me Viver!' (`Let Me Live!')