From Deseret News archives:
Junebug
Film review
Thankfully, that's not the case. From there, this comedy-drama takes a few unexpected dramatic turns and actually manages to say a few things about the peculiar charms of the South without becoming too patronizing or cloyingly phony.
What's unfortunate is that some of the material here is so R-rated including some Civil War-inspired artwork with violent and racist imagery that will likely horrify the audience. But great portions of the film also have a whimsical gentleness that would probably appeal to the same audience.
Embeth Davidtz stars as Madeleine, a Chicago art dealer who takes a trip to North Carolina with her new younger husband, George (Alessandro Nivola). She's hoping to persuade a controversial local painter (Frank Hoyt Taylor) to display some of his "outsider art."
She also convinces the reluctant George, a North Carolina native, to visit his old hometown. But when they get there, the couple is greeted by Ashley (Amy Adams), the barefoot-and-pregnant wife of George's malcontent brother, Johnny (Ben Mackenzie).
Director Phil Morrison and screenwriter Angus MacLachlan do poke some fun at various quirks of the region, though they also throw a few jabs at metropolitan smugness as well. Davidtz's Madeleine is shown to be at least a bit self-involved and condescending, while the naive and overly optimistic Ashley is considerably warmer and more genuine. Adams, who also stole a few scenes in "Catch Me If You Can" as Leonardo DiCaprio's impressionable young bride, is even more confident and assured here, and the camera loves her, as will moviegoers.
That's not meant to slight the rest of the cast, which is terrific. And Mackenzie certainly stretches here more than on Fox's sulk-athon "The O.C."
"Junebug" is rated R for frequent use of strong sexual profanity, simulated sex and other sexual contact, female and partial male nudity (as well as some nude artwork), crude sexual talk and use of slang terms, violence (including some disturbing imagery), use of racial epithets, and some brief drug content (references). Running time: 106 minutes.
E-mail: jeff@desnews.com
Comments
Cast: Embeth Davidtz, Amy Adams, Alessandro Nivola
Find a Movie Theater
- Germany celebrates Wall falling 3:53 p.m.
- Iraq electoral law passes 3:39 p.m.
- Memorial at site of Cleveland killings 3:35 p.m.
- Chavez to troops: Prepare for war 3:34 p.m.
- Suspect in Vail shooting faces charge 3:31 p.m.
- TCU moves into 4th place in BCS 3:16 p.m.
- Alcohol suspected in Roy shooting 2:36 p.m.
- Chaplain seeks prayers for meaning 2:36 p.m.
- La. Gov. declares state of emergency 2:34 p.m.
- 'SuperFreakonomics' just as fun 1:42 p.m.
- Gay advocates trek to LDS office
213 - Dirk does dirty work in Dallas
190 - House passes health care bill
184 - Lobo suspended
173 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
147 - Speed has never been BYU's game
136 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
112 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - Thousands protest health bill
102 - Provo company innovating engines
98
Whatever happened to curfews for kids? I'm not blaming the victim. But why do...
Obama, Biden, Reid, Pelosi, Barney the Frank, all....allllll.... all are...
That is exactly what you zoobs were saying last year. Somehow, you think that...
If you believe that God is the almighty then why worry about disbelievers? ...
@lesson one: I do not trust any politician of either party to tell the...
The article deals with the need to be flexible when crisis comes. The...
I just want to brag about something.....check out my prediction I posted on...
Though having the housework done is nice, it means much more to have my...
The only game that I have missed this year, due to my brother getting married...
What 3A team are we talking about? and what does that have to do with this year?





You can be the first to comment on this story.