The Oranges is a 2011 American romantic comedy-drama directed by Julian Farino and starring Hugh Laurie, Leighton Meester, Catherine Keener, Oliver Platt, Allison Janney, Alia Shawkat, and Adam Brody. The film chronicles how two families deal with a scandal involving a married man and his friends' daughter. Set in The Oranges area of Essex County, New Jersey, The Oranges was primarily filmed in New Rochelle, New York. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2011, and was released in the United States on October 5, 2012, by ATO Pictures. The film received mixed reviews upon its release. Plot The story is narrated from the perspective of aspiring furniture designer Vanessa Walling, whose plan to stay at home for a few months after college has turned into years. She witnesses the heartache between her parents as their marriage falls apart. Their best friends, Terry and Cathy Ostroff, live across the street in their suburb of West Orange, New Jersey. When the Ostroffs' prodigal 24-year-old daughter Nina returns home after a failed engagement, Vanessa is unhappy to see her back. The mothers of both families would like to see Nina form a relationship with the Wallings' jet-setting son Toby, but Nina herself is more interested in Vanessa's father David. Cathy discovers the affair after following Nina to a motel and seeing David there as well. Thus begins the meltdown of both families. Cast The Wallings Hugh Laurie as David (father) Catherine Keener as Paige (mother) Adam Brody as Toby (son) Alia Shawkat as Vanessa (daughter) The Ostroffs Oliver Platt as Terry (father) Allison Janney as Cathy (mother) Leighton Meester as Nina (daughter) The Others Aya Cash as Maya Sam Rosen as Ethan Tim Guinee as Roger Cassidy Gard as Samantha Hoon Lee as Henry Heidi Kristoffer as Meredith Jennifer Bronstein as Amy Stephen Badalamenti as Taxi Driver John Srednicki as Waiter Betsy Aidem as Anne Allen Production Writing and casting The script, written by Jay Reiss and Ian Helfer, appeared on 2008's Black List of best unproduced work; that list also featured The Beaver and Inglourious Basterds. Reiss and Helfer wrote the spec script, which is inspired by a story they heard from friends, during the Writers Guild of America strike. The film marks Julian Farino's debut as motion picture director; he had previously directed episodes of Entourage. Richard Gere's agent Ed Limato called Farino to tell him