Junebug
A big-city art dealer goes to North Carolina to meet her new husband’s family who isn’t too sure of the stranger, except for her brother-in-law’s very pregnant fiance who is fascinated with everything about her and her life outside of North Carolina.
Towards the beginning of the movie, we got to watch the father blow up an air mattress, which was non-stop excitement. After nothing else happened in that scene, I mentioned I was glad we got to watch that. Shortly after, there was a lingering shot into the skinny trees outside the house. It was at that point that Jer asked, “Is this an indie movie?” Indeed it is.
Madeline is the art dealer from Chicago who met and married George after one week and they have only been married for six months. They are in North Carolina trying to convince a local artist to display his work in her art gallery back home, and oh boy, his art is interesting. It must be seen to be believed.
Since they are nearby, they go to visit his family where George is considered the golden boy. I’m not sure why since he doesn’t seem to have much of a personality, but that could be that he doesn’t seem to want to be there too much. He never says he doesn’t like his family, but he does disappear into various rooms to hide when he is there and leaves the house a bit too. He can do no wrong in his mother’s eyes, even though he has been gone for three years. He can do lots of wrong in his younger brother, Johnny’s eyes since Johnny hasn’t done much with his life and thinks his brother is an asshole. This causes him to sulk when his brother is visiting.
Madeline is forced to fend for herself while visiting since George always seems to be off somewhere else. His mother isn’t too fond of her, but is passive aggressive about it. No woman would probably be good for her son though. Johnny doesn’t like Madeline, but that’s because she is with his brother. Eugene, the dad, likes her, but he doesn’t talk much. He just hides in the basement doing his woodwork.
The one person that really, really, really likes her is Ashley. She is awesome. She is bubbly, talks non-stop and is the most positive person ever. I couldn’t wait for her to be in a scene because she cracked me up. She is nine months pregnant but has so much energy, it is amazing. Amy Adams, who played Ashley, was nominated for an Oscar for this role. I agree since I really wish there was more of her in the movie. She would probably drive me crazy if I knew someone like that in real life, but she made me laugh in the movie.
I found the movie to be very sweet and cute. It is a bit odd and offbeat. Jer found it slow in spots, but I thought it fit it nicely. This movie is perfect for watching on a rainy afternoon when you are feeling lazy. Otherwise, it might not seem too riveting.
Rating: B+