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Amazon.co.uk Review
Jeanette Winterson's semi-autobiographical novel Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit transfers wonderfully to the screen in this BBC adaptation (with a screenplay by Winterson). Jess is the adopted daughter of evangelical Christians living in the northwest of England in the 1960s. Her mother wants Jess to be a missionary, but when she falls in love with Melanie, Jess begins to realise that there is more to life than church. When Jess' mother begins to suspect the girls of "unnatural passions" she tries to destroy their relationship with the help of Pastor Finch (Kenneth Cranham) and his congregation. But their efforts--including a terrifying attempt at exorcism--only push Jess further away. Jess eventually understands that the only way to survive is to escape, and she sets her sights on a place at Oxford.
Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit is both a broad comedy and a moving coming-of-age story. Charlotte Coleman is perfect as the teenage Jess, attempting to reconcile her religious devotion and her adolescent passion, but the film belongs to Geraldine McEwan as Jess' mother. McEwan obviously relishes Winterson's script, and she creates a character both monstrous, ridiculous and surprisingly sympathetic. It's a difficult role to carry off, but McEwan succeeds. Her performance is the high-point of this award-winning, provocative film. --Simon Leake
DVD Description
A poignant, comic and totally original coming-of-age story adapted for the BBC in 1990 by Jeanette WinteRson from her Whitbread prize-winning novel.
Jess is the adopted daughter of a deeply religious woman. Growing up isolated and insulated in the north of England in the 1970's, Jess is told she's part of a larger plan. Her mother keeps her away from "Breeding Grounds" like schools, preferring to train her to spread God's word "to all the heathens in the hot countries."
Jess eventually attends school, but continually feels like an outcast due to her religious beliefs. Her small town life changes when she meets Melanie, a beautiful sixteen-year old, and she experiences love at first sight. As the two draw closer, Jess's mother sees the devil at work and determines to exorcise the demons from her daughter.
Faced with the ire of Pastor Finch and his congregation, Jess realises that she must soon decide between following her own heart or the path of life set out for her by others.
With Charlotte Coleman as Jess, Geraldine McEwan as her mother and Kenneth Cranham as Pastor Finch. Also starring Celia Imrie, Pam Ferris and Barbara Hicks.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
38 of 40 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
When the Television adaptation of Jeanette Winterson’s classic ‘Oranges are Not the Only Fruit’ first hit the BBC in 1990 it was considered revolutionary to portray a lesbian love affair on the terrestrial screen. This is only one aspect of an amazing semi-autobiographical tale.
Jess is adopted into a Pentecostal family in the north of England and learns about life through her mother and her church. When her mother is forced to put Jess into a conventional education Jess finds herself very out of place.
By the time Jess reaches her mid teens she is a strong member within her church often preaching the word of the Lord. Soon she finds herself in conflict again, this time with her family – Jess has fallen in love with another girl.
Jeanette Winterson’s tale is not just a coming out story it is about having the strength to follow your heart and think for yourself.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is still the bench mark for the making of any film about love,sexuality, and relationships about young people, especially in the 12years to 20years age group.In fact "Oranges" should be required viewing for any person making a film about blossoming sexuality, without being either trite, judgemental, holier than though or hysterical!
Simply brilliant!
Simply brilliant!
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I was about ten or maybe eleven when Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit was broadcast on BBC2. With a Dad that worked nights, my Mum for some reason allowed me to watch it alone with her, despite its (some would say) raunchy subject matter.
Back then BBC Drama was peerless, and there are many programmes of that time that I have had the pleasure of discovering anew, or indeed have remained with me to this day.
Oranges, is one of them.
I recently purchased the DVD to watch it again for the first time in 20 years, the first time since I was 10, and its uncanny how much I can remember from that first viewing. Just the opening bars of that haunting theme tune transported me back to 1989 and sent the hairs up on the back of my neck.
Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit is a story that will stay with you, and a superior drama that once seen is never forgotten. I am proof of that, and I'm glad my Mum would allow me to sample such things even at a young age. I suppose it's made me who I am.
Hilarious (its laced with wonderful North West wit and observation) gripping, poignant and touching, with superb performances all round - in particular the lovely and talented Charlotte Coleman, who died far too young - it deserves your attention.
Back then BBC Drama was peerless, and there are many programmes of that time that I have had the pleasure of discovering anew, or indeed have remained with me to this day.
Oranges, is one of them.
I recently purchased the DVD to watch it again for the first time in 20 years, the first time since I was 10, and its uncanny how much I can remember from that first viewing. Just the opening bars of that haunting theme tune transported me back to 1989 and sent the hairs up on the back of my neck.
Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit is a story that will stay with you, and a superior drama that once seen is never forgotten. I am proof of that, and I'm glad my Mum would allow me to sample such things even at a young age. I suppose it's made me who I am.
Hilarious (its laced with wonderful North West wit and observation) gripping, poignant and touching, with superb performances all round - in particular the lovely and talented Charlotte Coleman, who died far too young - it deserves your attention.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Desirability of Avoiding Extremes
This adaptation for the BBC by Jeanette Winterton of her Whitbread prize-winning novel is a masterpiece. Read more
Published 8 days ago by H. A. Weedon
Disappointed and faulty goods
The audio of the DVD is out of sync with the acting, so the words are heard at a later time than the lips of the actors move, so the DVD is faulty.
Published 24 days ago by Jessie
Film review
No problem with speed of delivery and the item was as expected. Story was set in the 60's and was rather long drawn out and boring. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mrs. Angela Coleman
great service for oranges
Great service from Amazon as usual, the dvd's arrived within 3 days and were much enjoyed by the eventual recipients.
Published 5 months ago by derbyhammer
Oranges are not the only fruit
I watched this series on television when it was first broadcast in 1990 so when I saw it was available on DVD I purchased it and it brought back many memories. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Mr. D. Rowland
Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit [DVD] [1990] by Geraldine McEwan
Classic British TV, hard to find title, after trying on high street and been told it was not available anymore, found it on Amazon, and my friend got the movie she had been looking... Read more
Published 20 months ago by u2crew
Oranges are not the only fruit
Great Film, if you can't make up your mind if your Betty or Bob. A must watch.
Published on 24 May 2010 by Tyler
A fantastic BBC Drama
A classic, from the golden age of BBC drama when the corporation was not scared to genuinely push boundaries on mainstream television and yet, paradoxically, everything seemed so... Read more
Published on 13 April 2010 by Shark Sandwich
Brilliant, just brilliant
Have watched this again recently; I'd forgotten just how good it is. The casting and acting are superb; especially McEwan and the two girls who play Jess. Read more
Published on 22 Mar 2010 by Alison Mallaghan
A level subject
My daughter thought this book was weird, it is be used for an A level English Lit.
Published on 30 Sep 2009 by E. Mayne
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