Thanksgiving is here. What could be more fun than a movie about families going awry during the holidays in suburban New Jersey?

Starring Hugh Laurie, that most American of British actors, recently of "House" fame, the top-notch cast of "The Oranges" also includes Allison Janney and Catherine Keener.

This dark comedy-drama is the tale of two close families, the Wallings (Laurie and Keener) and the Ostroffs (Oliver Platt and Janney). Their lives become intertwined in a way no one expected when the Ostroffs' daughter Nina (Leighton Meester) arrives home after a five-year absence.

The story is narrated by Vanessa (Alia Shawkat of "Arrested Development"), the Wallings' daughter. While her childhood friend Nina picked up and left after school, Vanessa stayed at home. The Wallings and the Ostroffs are slowly sinking into a rut as their children grow up and depart.

But all that is about to change. Nina is fresh out of a broken romance, and her mom is hoping to set her up with the Wallings' successful son, Toby (Adam Brody).

But as children so often do, Nina takes another path, developing an interest instead in Toby's father. This budding relationship, of course, takes everyone by surprise, and their reactions to it unfold over the course of the holidays, always a fine time to work out little family kinks.

"The Oranges" arrives at the Sunrise Theater in downtown Southern Pines on Friday, Nov. 23, at 7:30 p.m. It will also be shown Saturday, Nov. 24, at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 25, at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., and on Monday, Nov. 26, at 7:30 p.m.

There will be no Thursday showings.

Tickets are $7. "The Oranges" is rated R for language, including sexual references, and some drug use. The film runs 90 minutes. The theater has an excellent concession counter, offering beer, wine, soft drinks, candy and popcorn with real butter.

The Sunrise Theater is a nonprofit organization providing a diverse range of programs for the community. The theater is currently raising funds for new digital projection equipment.

"If you will add $1 to your movie ticket price we'll put that dollar in the fund," says a spokesman. "Please also consider becoming a 'Friend' of the Sunrise."

Visit the Sunrise at www.sunrisetheater.com for more information about the theater and a complete calendar of events.