White Oleander is a American drama film directed by Peter Kosminsky. Too young to remember her father, she relies heavily upon her self-centered mother. Ingrid's relationship with a writer, Barry, ends when she discovers he is cheating. Murdering him with white oleander poison, Ingrid is incarcerated, leaving Astrid under social services' control.
Starr Thomas, a former stripper , recovering alcoholic and born-again Christian is Astrid's first foster mother. Initially interacting well, Astrid is baptised into her church. Ingrid finds out, setting Astrid against them. Starr, believing Astrid is sleeping with her live-in boyfriend, Ray, falls off the wagon. In a drunken rage, she argues with Ray, then shoots Astrid in the shoulder. Starr and Ray disappear; the children beg Astrid not to report her, so she plays along.
After fighting with some girls, she befriends fellow artist, Paul Trout. Astrid is placed with former actress, Claire Richards, and her producer husband, Mark. Fragile but affectionate, Claire bonds closely with Astrid, who finally thrives.
One day, Astrid discovers Ingrid has been corresponding with Claire and insists on meeting. At the prison visit, Ingrid jealously exploits Claire's low self-esteem and suspicions over Mark's fidelity, which worsens her depression.
She begs Claire not to; Claire appears to recant, but ultimately dies by suicide later that night, devastating Astrid. Blaming Ingrid for the suicide, Astrid announces she will not visit again. He asks her to join him, but she coldly refuses. Astrid passes up good foster parent candidates for Russian immigrant Rena Gruschenka, who uses kids as laborers for her flea market business. With Rena, she becomes more cold and matches her outward appearance with her inside demeanor.
