"Junebug" is a deliberately paced, lovely little film that was everything "The Family Stone" (which came out the same year) wanted to be. A slice of life parable about cosmopolitan art dealer Madeleine (a superb Embeth Davidtz) meeting her new husband George(Allesandro Nivolo)'s family in suburban North Carolina. There is a bit of suspicion and resentment towards this newcomer, but Madeleine is instantly embraced by Ashley (Amy Adams), George's pregnant sister-in-law. Ashley at first seems like an empty-headed, gauche chatterbox, but we soon find she represents the best side of human nature: warm, kind, open-minded, and brave. By the end of the film, we see that the intellectual Madeleine and George's gruff family could stand to follow Ashley's example. Amy Adams carries this film, even though she is not the main character. She never strikes a false note, and creates one of the most unexpectedly memorable characters in recent years. With her red hair, owl eyes and wispy voice, Adams is one of the most unique actresses working right now, and will continue to get the critical attention she deserves. See "Junebug" for no other reason than the sheer brilliance of Amy Adams's star power.
Review of Junebug
