Film reviews: The Oranges | Tu Seras Mon Fils | Celeste and Jesse Forever

Our round-up of the rest of the week’s releases

The Oranges (15)

* * *

Hugh Laurie returns to the big screen as a middle-aged man who starts an affair with the daughter of his best friends, and nextdoor neighbours. The consequences include the breakdown of his marriage to Catherine Keener, while their friends (Alison Janney and Oliver Platt) struggle to get past the betrayal. And since most of it is set between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the meter is running until someone gets angry enough to smash up the Christmas decorations. It’s overfamiliar stuff, played out in a sitcom-style, and despite some distinguished acting, The Oranges has limited appeal, unless you are Woody Allen.

On general release from Friday

Tu Seras Mon Fils (tbc)

* * * *

Paul (Niels Arestrup) despises his son Martin (Lorant Deutsch), who hopes to take over the family winemaking business in Gilles Legrand’s bitter family drama. A decent character study, although sometimes excruciating to watch, Arestrup is terrific as the awful wine snob who offers to adopt Martin’s childhood friend (Nicolas Bridet) and give him Martin’s inheritance. Perfect for Christmas in the sense that you’ll look on your own family a little more warmly after this one.

Filmhouse, Edinburgh, Friday until 13 December; Glasgow Film Theatre, 14-20 December

Celeste And Jesse Forever (15)

* *

Completing a trio of dysfunctional relationship dramas is this tepid comedy co-written and starring Rashida Jones as Celeste, who is trying to sever her marital bond to Jesse (Andy Samberg) whilst staying friends. It’s not a bad set-up, but the film lets everyone talk a lot without ever having much to say. Nor is it as hip and astute as it thinks it is (are we still making jokes about Ikea furniture? Really?) and the most promising character is a pop star played by Emma Roberts. She’s self-obsessed and another cliché, but at least she isn’t getting a divorce.

On selected release from Friday