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Insider art
Critics are so weary of films that originate on the coasts, or follow the Hollywood model, they tend to over-praise the rare example of regional filmmaking that gets into distribution. With Junebug, Phil Morrison joins David Gordon Green and Craig Brewer among recent breakouts from the South. Junebug is essentially a dysfunctional family drama with a new daughter-in-law serving as catalyst. Embeth Davidtz plays Madeleine, whose Chicago gallery specializes in self-taught, "outsider" artists. She's chasing one of these in North Carolina when she finally meets her in-laws, the family of George Johnsten (Alessandro Nivola), the man she married six months ago. Morrison, like Madeleine, tries not to be condescending to these people, even though they make the Dukes of Hazzard look like a MENSA convention. Madeleine's aware of the irony that she's the outsider here. Reactions vary from open hostility on the part of George's younger brother, Johnny (Ben McKenzie of "The O.C."), to gushing affection from Johnny's very pregnant wife, Ashley (Amy Adams). Eugene (Scott Wilson), the patriarch is quietly accepting. His wife, Peg (Celia Weston) is polite but not accepting. She appraises Madeleine as "a little older, too pretty and too smart – a deadly combination." Everybody's a critic. While George has severed ties with his family in more ways than geographically, this visit lets Madeleine see his spiritual side and other facets he hasn't revealed to her before. If meeting the Johnstens doesn't kill their marriage, it will make it stronger. Except for the preacher, the men in these parts don't get to talk much, or seem to want to. There are no words for Johnny's inarticulateness, but it's balanced by Ashley's motormouth. Although her profession breeds phonies, Madeleine is genuinely loving and demonstrative – which can be off-putting or misinterpreted by people who aren't used to it. When Johnny's moved to make a pass at her and she repels him he says, "I don't know what George isn't givin' you but you want somethin'." What she wants is to sign David Wark (Frank Hoyt Taylor), who paints Civil War panoramas replete with blood and genitalia; and when this city gal, who was raised in more countries than the United Nations flag, goes into crisis mode, not even Ashley giving birth can distract her. Junebug has its big dramatic moments but it's more interesting as a quiet portrait of cultures clashing, obviously made by someone who understands both sides. "I can't do anything with my hands," Madeleine says modestly. Ashley replies, "You don't have to. You're smart." The worst thing about Junebug is the way the title suddenly appears in big red letters across a calm woodland scene. It's the perfect lead-in to a slasher movie and totally wrong for this one. Steve Warren is a local actor and film reviewer. His reviews can also be seen weekly in the Sunday Paper. |
Junebug
Directed by: Phil Morrison 
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(2½ out of 4)