Top 10 of 2005: #2

Junebug dir. Phil Morrison

Junebug is a movie I didn't expect to carry the huge impact that it had on me. I thought it would be a nice, charming, small little movie, but it was so much more. Junebug is about a woman named Madeleine (Embeth Davidtz), an art dealer, who has recently married her boyfriend George (Alessandro Nivola). With the marriage already in place, it is time for Madeleine to meet her in-laws. While Madeleine may be nervous already, her in-laws assumptions and comments will add to that. The in-laws consist of Eugene & Peg (Scott Wilson and Celia Weston), George's parents, Johnny (Benjamin McKenzie), his brother and Ashley (Amy Adams), Johnny's pregnant wife. While everyone else dislikes Madeleine, Ashley takes an instant liking, before even meeting her. What goes on for the rest of the movie is not what you expect. This film is truthful and honest and every single piece of dialogue in this movie is authentic. Angus MacLachlan's writing is masterful and he carefully explores each person in this family with precise detail. Phil Morrison is an amazing director and he guides his cast and the movie as a whole, to excellence. I can't wait to see what he does next. Every performer is great. Scott Wilson is great as Eugene. Ben McKenzie's performance makes me wonder why he would ever agree to be on such a shitty show as The OC because he is extremely talented. Alessandro Nivola brings a lot of charm and humor to George and one of my favourite scenes is when he sings that hymn. Embeth Davidtz is fantastic as Madeleine and is great at showing us the layers hidden beneath her quiet exterior. However, two performances stand out for me. Celia Weston is excellent as Peg. Being brazen and tough one scene and vulnerable and deep in one scene towards the end of the movie. Amy Adams is a revelation as Ashley. She is extraordinary in this role and deserved the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. I loved her charm, humour and wit throughout the film and in one pivotal scene towards the end, her heartbreaking realness. That scene is heartwrenching and it moved me to tears. Not enough words can describe how amazing Adams is. Junebug is another masterpiece of 2006 and while not the best movie of the year, a close runner up.