2005
Directed by Phil Morrison
Written by Angus MacLachlan
Starring Embeth Davidtz, Alessandro Nivola, Amy Adams, Benjamin McKenzie

Junebug is the story of newlywed Madeline (Davidtz), a British diplomat's daughter, who travels from her Chicago art gallery to the rural hill country of North Carolina to pursue a local, self-taught painter. Madeline takes this road-trip opportunity to meet her husband George's (Nivola) family, who happen to live nearby.

George's judgmental, bitter mother, and his reserved, uncommunicative father are civil but not warm to Madeline.
George's younger brother Johnny ("The O.C.'s" McKenzie) who, although married, still lives at home, is sullen, resentful, and angry in general, and is aloof towards his new sister-in-law as well.

Only Johnny's very pregnant wife Ashley (Adams) who plans to name her baby "Junebug," is friendly towards Madeline. Actually, friendly is an understatement. Ashley finds Madeline fascinating and looks up to her immensely. She wants to know everything about her and is incredibly impressed with her. Her admiration of Madeline borders on childlike, but it's very sweet.

Junebug is a very charming little movie about family and culture shock. The high point, however, is Amy Adams' performance as Ashley (for which she was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar). Adams is definitely the high point of this movie. She'll have you laughing and crying, and she'll win you over just like Ashley won over Madeline.

Amy Adams as AshleyAmy Adams as Ashley