Junebug is a film that takes its time. It moves slowly through its simple narrative - a young woman who is newly married meets her husband's family for the first time while trying to negotiate an art deal close their home - and builds up its characters and their thoughts and feelings effectively.

Embeth Davidtz stars as Madeleine, an art dealer who marries George, a man from North Carolina. Six months later, she is trying to negotiate a deal with an eccentric painter from her husband's home town. The pair decide to kill two birds with one stone and visit the in-laws for the first time. This proves to be a daunting experience for Madeleine as the family seem uncaring about the visit and everyone apart from her awe struck sister-in-law Ashley (Amy Adams) is uninterested in her.

Ashley is nine months pregnant and ready to burst, although her husband Johnny does not seem to care about her or the baby. He is distracted and rude and it is soon revealed that he is still trying… more »

Junebug is a film that takes its time. It moves slowly through its simple narrative - a young woman who is newly married meets her husband's family for the first time while trying to negotiate an art deal close their home - and builds up its characters and their thoughts and feelings effectively.

Embeth Davidtz stars as Madeleine, an art dealer who marries George, a man from North Carolina. Six months later, she is trying to negotiate a deal with an eccentric painter from her husband's home town. The pair decide to kill two birds with one stone and visit the in-laws for the first time. This proves to be a daunting experience for Madeleine as the family seem uncaring about the visit and everyone apart from her awe struck sister-in-law Ashley (Amy Adams) is uninterested in her.

Ashley is nine months pregnant and ready to burst, although her husband Johnny does not seem to care about her or the baby. He is distracted and rude and it is soon revealed that he is still trying to pass high school - despite being married and in his early twenties - and get his diploma. Madeleine tries to help him but he soon echoes the rest of the family's feelings that she is an outsider trying to barge in to the family and flaunt her superior intellect and breeding.

The film is a wonderful snapshot of southern life and is so intimate and real that it is easy to forget that these are actors and not genuine people. The most realistic portrayal can be found in Ashley, who is played brilliantly by Amy Adams, who has recently found fame as Giselle in Enchanted.

The film centres around her wonderful supporting performance as the pregnant Ashley, who is married to the obnoxious and resentful Johnny. She is the heart of the film, always happy and smiling despite her husband - and the rest of his prickly family's - shortcomings. She is enchanted by Madeleine from the moment of her arrival, constantly asking questions and proclaiming that the two will be best friends forever.

Adams' was nominated for the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her performance but lost out to Rachel Weisz for The Constant Gardener. She is so endearing and tragic and seems to represent everything that the rest of the family would like to be: open, chatty and happy. It is a wonder that the film was not nominated for Best Original Screenplay too, as it is a skilful observation of life in a fragile family and a true gem of a film.