Review: Junebug

Looking at the message boards, I saw that a lot of people were dissapointed with Junebug. I can sorta understand that, but I would have to disagree. This film was different, and it had that going for it. But after all the hype for this film, and its major success at Sundance, it was different then I thought it would be.

The film is about an art dealer named Madeleine who travels with her husband, George, from Chicago to a backwoods town in North Caroline, to sign a deal with a reclusive artist. During the trip, they go to spend some time with his famliy, so that she can meet her new in-laws, including, his parents, Peg and Eugene, his brother Johnny, and Johnny's pregnant wife Ashley. During their trip, old resentments resurface, and new ones appear, and they have to pull together as a family, and be there for one another.

The scene stealer in this movie was Amy Adams who played Ashley. She was very funny and honest, and made me laugh throughout the film. She and Johnny, don't have the best relationship, but you can see that she wants it to work out. She is very impressed by Madeleine, and envys her lifestyle. Amy did a phenomenal job, and I see why she keeps getting nominated for her acting.

Benjamin McKenzie, played Johnny. His character wasn't very different from what he plays on The OC. Johnny was angry throughout the entire film, angry at his family, but mainly at his brother George. It seems as though they had problems in the past and haven't really spoken for a while. He is very quite and brooding throughout the film, saying very little.

George was played by Alessandro Nivola. His character was very focused on family, which was very important to him. George seems like the perfect guy, handsome, sensative, and an all around good person, he even sings church hymns. He is there for his family when they need him, and he has a touching scene with Ashley, near the end of the film, that makes you want to cry and laugh (the scene showed how good both of them were at acting).

Lastly Embeth Davidtz played Madeleine. Her character was basically a fish out of water. She was meeting her new in-laws for the first time, and it was very awkward for her. Also the family issue came back into play, because she was more worried about closing her art deal, then being there when they needed her.

This film had a lot to do with family. About people who are there for you when you need them, when your world is falling apart they are there to help you pick up the pieces. In some cases that person was there and in other cases they weren't. Also it was about admitting that you need your family, which is sometimes hard to do. We want to think that we are independent, and that we don't need anyone, but sometimes we do, and we have to realize that. This film had some really great shots of scenery and at one point when George and Madeleine arrive at the house, they gave the audience a tour of the house, which was pretty neat. Also some of the scenery was shot offcenter and then other objects would come into the frame, which was pretty interesting. I would recommend this film, give it a shot, maybe you'll like it, I did.

For more information on the film visit: Junebug on imdb.com