THE BOND BETWEEN a mother and daughter is strong, but often too powerful to control. The recently released “White Oleander” starring Alison Lohman, Robin Wright Penn, Michelle Pfeiffer and Renee Zellweger depicts the emotional pain, suffering and freedom tied between a mother and daughter.

Newcomer Alison Lohman plays 15- year-old Astrid, who is separated from her mother Ingrid. Ingrid (Michelle Pfeiffer) has been arrested for murdering a cheating ex-boyfriend who she once loved. Astrid is then forced to be on her own and jumps from foster home to foster home, without being fully accepted into any one family.

Even behind bars, her mother is a deadly force and wants her daughter to remain with her forever, without changing. Astrid’s first foster mother, played by Robin Wright Penn, skips back and forth from a religious Christian to a woman with immense jealousy. Renee Zellweger plays a highly emotional and vulnerable mother that has no control over her own life. Penn and Zellweger’s roles are truly powerful and well done.

For the most part, “White Oleander” depicts the struggles and obstacles occurring between a mother and daughter.

Michelle Pfeiffer’s role is extremely edgy and contains a dark nature which she acts out with great zeal. Both Lohman and Pfeiffer are extremely powerful and moving, especially in the scenes that they act out together.

The amount of pain that Astrid goes through is reflected through her constant changes in attitude and outfits. Astrid goes through a journey filled with hardship, loss, joy and finally the independence she needs to break free of the chains holding her back.

“White Oleander” is based on the best selling novel by Janet Finch. So if you enjoy the movie, then go out and read the book as well!

“White Oleander” is rated PG-13 for mature thematic elements concerning dysfunctional relationships, drug content, language, sexuality and violence.