Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit

Magnificently crafted film involving a young adopted girl's coming of age, under the authority of her priggish and religiously fanatical mother. At times, moving, stark and horrifying. It also portrays wonderful strength in the face of adversity, and the extraordinary power of being able to forgive. The acting is first rate, all the way around, and the end truly left me wishing that a sequel had been on tap.

This made-for-television gem is made all the more poignant by the untimely death of Charlotte Coleman (Jess)in 2001. Ms. Coleman provides a touching and heart felt performance. The cult-like nature of her upbringing along with her strength in the face of such almost fanatical religiosity shows the value of forbearance in the face of such adversity. The entire cast provide solid and almost chillingly real acting within the storyline. Jess is the epitome of forgiveness and understanding given the predicament she finds herself in. This program is well worth a look if only for the thought provoking nature of the subject matter. This film received several awards and stands the test of time. In a way the production was ahead of its time with its frank assessment of Jess's personality. You can't runaway from your self.

This film hit me hard. I watched it by coincidence, but couldn't keep myself away. It's disturbing, true, but it tackles a topic lots of people need to think about. It's a very difficult topic to discuss in a film like this, and I think it has been done very well. Everyone should see this film!

I have been watching a lot of my old favourites recently and I can't heap enough praise on this adaptation. I'm not a great reader, but this bbc show was just brilliant. The acting, everything. Geraldine McEwan and Charlotte Coleman were both outstanding. The first episode was so funny and endearing, the soundtrack happy and upbeat, a young Emily Aston just lovely, but you knew darker things were to come, how could they not? People don't like to see others happy when they are miserable themselves it seems. I think every school syllabus should have had a book like this included instead of the usual boring heteronomative drivel I was forced to read waay back in the 80's when I was struggling with my sexuality myself. Brilliant show back then and is just as brilliant today.

One of its many brilliant touches is the ability to be both funny and heart rending at the same time - I can recall scenes where crying and laughing are mixed together(a very messy pairing!).

Charlotte Coleman, Geraldine McEwan and Kenneth Cranham are all outstanding (not forgetting Emily Aston and her asking a confused ice cream seller " What's fornication?"). The whole production team should take a bow as well, with all elements of the project coming together to make something that I feel is one of the high water marks of British TV, and which I tear has ebbed for ever, or at least the foreseeable future. Like the previous reviewer, I watched it at a young age, and can remember whole scenes and strands very clearly, a not inconsiderable feat when I consider all the TV programs I consumed at that age.