deemed the ensemble "excellent." The Star-Ledger writer Stephen Witty said that the film "has a few good lines, and a fine cast." He thought that Laurie was "particularly good," Keener amusing and Platt charming, but expected more of the film: "You want something that plays a little sharper, and cuts a little deeper. You want something that demands more of its performers, and delivers more to its audience." Similarly, New York Post Lou Lumenick wrote: "While there are laughs, the farcical elements of The Oranges are not presented with sufficient discipline to live up to the full potential of its cast." The Hollywood Reporter critic David Rooney praised members of the cast "who manage to hit a sweet spot even in this mediocre material," noting that the film "runs out of juice" when it becomes serious and that the film's "cathartic moments feel fabricated" and concluded that the cast "deserves better." Stephen Holden of The New York Times said the film's problem is that its creators did not decide what genre The Oranges would be; "a dangerous comic satire or a serious dramatic downer," and instead made "a wishy-washy middle ground. As comedy, it isn’t funny; as serious drama, it lacks a moral and emotional center." Despite Vanessa (Alia Shawkat) "the most interesting character" praising her "sardonic perspective," the Los Angeles Times reviewer wrote that the film "never fully comes to life." While Entertainment Weekly reviewer Owen Gleiberman found Meester "charming," The Washington Post Michael O'Sullivan felt that lightness and brightness were missing from her performance and that she took the film too seriously. Home media The Oranges was released on DVD and Blu-ray on May 7, 2013. References External links 2011 films 2011 comedy films 2011 directorial debut films 2011 drama films 2011 romantic comedy-drama films 2010s English-language films American romantic comedy-drama films Films about dysfunctional families Films directed by Julian Farino Films scored by Klaus Badelt Films set in New Jersey Films shot in New Jersey Films shot in New York (state) 2010s American films Films shot in Atlantic City, New Jersey