Film Summary"Oranges and Sunshine" is a 2010 historic drama film directed by Jim Loach, based upon Margaret Humphreys' book "Empty Cradles". The movie, which stars Emily Watson as the lead, draws back the drape on a disturbing episode of British-Australian history, the forced deportation of thousands of kids from the United Kingdom to Australia, where they suffered abuse and disregard.
Plot Summary"Oranges and Sunshine" tells the story of Margaret Humphreys, a British social employee who stumbles upon a surprise scandal of enormous percentages. Humphreys finds that the British government had been deporting kids, mostly in care and frequently told their parents were dead, to Australia, Canada and New Zealand, assuring them "oranges and sunshine", but rather subjecting them to slave labor and physical and sexual abuse in most cases.
Main Characters and their DevelopmentEmily Watson's portrayal of Margaret Humphreys presents her journey from lack of knowledge about the concern, to discovery and exposure. In 1986, Humphreys was approached by an Australian woman looking for aid finding her birth mom in England, surprisingly disclosing that she had been deported as a kid. Fascinated and moved, Humphreys starts her own examinations and uncovers thousands of comparable cases, leading her to fight relentlessly to expose the reality.
Hugo Weaving and David Wenham play as now-adult victims of the program, who join Humphreys in her battle. Weaving's character Jack has trouble reconciling his traumatic past, even refusing to satisfy his now found household. Wenham's character Len struggles with anger and bitterness, having had one of the worst experiences in a Christian Brothers' organization.
Styles and SymbolismA considerable theme in "Oranges and Sunshine" is the concern of identity. The deported kids experience lack of knowledge about who they really are, as their identities are concealed. The tricked households, the lost children, and the shattered lives are represented as heavy outcomes of a dreadful governmental choice.
The title "Oranges and Sunshine" is deeply symbolic. It signifies the false pledges that these children were given-- the apparently better life they were expected to have. A life full of "oranges and sunshine" turned out to be a life of labor, abuse and lost identity.
Criticism and ConclusionAlthough the movie was slammed for its pacing and storytelling, it was applauded for discussing a bleak chapter in history and effectively conveying how harmful such policy can be on social and personal levels. Watson's performance was highly acclaimed, embodying Humphreys' thoughtful decision in the face of frustrating challenges. "Oranges and Sunshine" leaves viewers with empathy for the victims and an anger towards the system that triggered such suffering.
To conclude, "Oranges and Sunshine" is an emotional and deeply affecting expedition of an often-overlooked historic scandal. It is a painful but required testament to the power of truth and the strength of the human spirit. Through the unearthing of this dark secret, the film serves as an indictment of past government policies and a homage to the nerve of those who looked for to expose the fact.
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