#8. The Oranges
The Gist: Written by Jay Reiss and Ian Helfer, the Ostroff and Walling families are best friends and neighbors, living across the street from each other on Orange Drive. Prodigal daughter Nina Ostroff (Meester) returns home for Thanksgiving dinner after a five-year absence, newly broken up with her fiancé Ethan (Rosen). Rather than developing an interest in the successful son of her neighbors, Toby Walling (Brody), which would please both families, it’s her parents’ best friend David Walling (Laurie) that captures Nina’s attention.
Director: Julian Farino (Television work: Sex and the City, Entourage, Big Love, The Office)
Sales Agent: CAA
Selling Point/Suited For: The number 2 on 2008’s Best Unproduced Blacklist screenplays behind The Beaver and before fellow 2011 invited TIFF items: Butter (#3), 50/50 (#9) and The Descendants (#17), in some regards this ensemble headed by Hugh Laurie might remind some of the workings of an American Beauty. This infidelity in the suburbs is great on paper, my thinking this will translate into an opening night with tons of studio heads in attendance. If the first screening at the Winter Garden is still full when the curtains come down, then expect a deal announcement within 72 hours from premiere night.
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