Madeline (Embeth Davidtz) is an eccentric art dealer specializing in Outsider works who's just gotten married to her former boyfriend, George. He takes her to meet his dysfunctional Southern family, and to accompany his sister-in-law when she has her baby. Uh-oh. Judging from the plotlines of multiple comedies, one can guess that the situation has a good chance of getting messy.
But this isn't a comedy, really. It's a recent addition in the 'family problems' sect of the independent indrustry. Don't give up hope, though- this is a better addition to the 'dysfunctional' sub-genre than some. Watch it instead (or as well as) "The Savages," for example, or "Smart People." First of all, we have Amy Adams, playing an immensely likable character, who gives "Junebug" a hoist.
Actually, Madeline also needs to visit the area to talk with one of her latest charges, a dim-witted fellow who like to paint well-endowed people doing battle (don't ask) so she can help him sell his 'art.' Off they go, although, George is probably nervous due to a feud between he and his younger brother, Johnny. Why is there a feud? It's not clear. A lot of things go unsaid in this film.
There are four people- actually, five- living under the same roof. The matriarch is Peg (Celia Weston,) an unpleasant woman who immediately to takes a disliking to Madeline. Her husband is Eugene (Scott Wilson,) a man who makes 'people of few words' look like incredible chatterboxes. Peg and Eugene have one son, Johnny (Ben McKenzie,) a surly, bad-tempered young man with a grudge against George. Lastly is Johnny's wife Ashley (Amy Adams,) the only openly welcoming member of the family, who's expecting.
"Junebug" is hardly an action-packed movie. What proceeds is the interactions between George's family and the couple. Ashley, who's apparently starved for a social life with her withdrawn in-laws, practically falls over herself trying to make Madeline feel at home. Peg complains, Eugene quietly looks for his lost screwdriver, and Johnny keeps a distance from George and Madeline. As the story goes on, a situation arises when George feels torn between his family's needs and his wife's.
The slow pace gives "Junebug" a real, quiet feel. Something that sets it apart from many other movies of this type, however, are the surprisingly likable characters. With the exception of a few, most of the main protagonists are generally decent. It is like "Little Miss Sunshine" in that respect. Although spending an afternoon with many of them is the last thing on your mind, they are not of a love-to-hate, akin to "The Squid and the Whale," group.
As before, mentioned Amy Adams all but steals the show as Ashley. She is off-beat without being full of forced quirkiness, and her relentless sense of optimism is nearly irritating at times, but you can't help but like her. Most of the character's are semi-interesting, but Ashley is really the main character, the living, breathing person among the mix.
What did I feel after watching "Junebug?" The directer wasn't especially original with the plot-line, but one can sense the talent behind the execution. It won't be added to my favorites list any time soon, but it was what it was, and absolutely watchable (Rated R.)
But this isn't a comedy, really. It's a recent addition in the 'family problems' sect of the independent indrustry. Don't give up hope, though- this is a better addition to the 'dysfunctional' sub-genre than some. Watch it instead (or as well as) "The Savages," for example, or "Smart People." First of all, we have Amy Adams, playing an immensely likable character, who gives "Junebug" a hoist.
Actually, Madeline also needs to visit the area to talk with one of her latest charges, a dim-witted fellow who like to paint well-endowed people doing battle (don't ask) so she can help him sell his 'art.' Off they go, although, George is probably nervous due to a feud between he and his younger brother, Johnny. Why is there a feud? It's not clear. A lot of things go unsaid in this film.
There are four people- actually, five- living under the same roof. The matriarch is Peg (Celia Weston,) an unpleasant woman who immediately to takes a disliking to Madeline. Her husband is Eugene (Scott Wilson,) a man who makes 'people of few words' look like incredible chatterboxes. Peg and Eugene have one son, Johnny (Ben McKenzie,) a surly, bad-tempered young man with a grudge against George. Lastly is Johnny's wife Ashley (Amy Adams,) the only openly welcoming member of the family, who's expecting.
"Junebug" is hardly an action-packed movie. What proceeds is the interactions between George's family and the couple. Ashley, who's apparently starved for a social life with her withdrawn in-laws, practically falls over herself trying to make Madeline feel at home. Peg complains, Eugene quietly looks for his lost screwdriver, and Johnny keeps a distance from George and Madeline. As the story goes on, a situation arises when George feels torn between his family's needs and his wife's.
The slow pace gives "Junebug" a real, quiet feel. Something that sets it apart from many other movies of this type, however, are the surprisingly likable characters. With the exception of a few, most of the main protagonists are generally decent. It is like "Little Miss Sunshine" in that respect. Although spending an afternoon with many of them is the last thing on your mind, they are not of a love-to-hate, akin to "The Squid and the Whale," group.
As before, mentioned Amy Adams all but steals the show as Ashley. She is off-beat without being full of forced quirkiness, and her relentless sense of optimism is nearly irritating at times, but you can't help but like her. Most of the character's are semi-interesting, but Ashley is really the main character, the living, breathing person among the mix.
What did I feel after watching "Junebug?" The directer wasn't especially original with the plot-line, but one can sense the talent behind the execution. It won't be added to my favorites list any time soon, but it was what it was, and absolutely watchable (Rated R.)
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