Junebug

The recipient of much praise since its Sundance debut, Junebug is a returning-home drama centered on an artsy newlywed Chicago couple (Alessandro Nivola and Embeth Davidtz) visiting the Southern family of folksy, dysfunctional, bump-on-a-log suburban rednecks from whom the husband fled several years before. A dreary, stagnant story about people who make no effort to think or grow, director Phil Morrison's film admittedly nails the atmosphere with simple, static shots that reflect the languid pace of life in North Carolina, and the actors offer up fantastic little moments of body language that speak volumes about their characters. Unfortunately, when said characters are as chronically useless and emotionally stunted as this bunch, it's darn near impossible to care. With their utter lack of affection (save for a chirpy pregnant sister-in-law played beautifully by Amy Adams from Catch Me If You Can), measured communication, and unhealthy relationships, spending 107 minutes with these twits is akin to psychological torture—even if the cast does deserve kudos for giving such convincing performances of small-minded puerility. Not a necessary purchase. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by costars Amy Adams and Embeth Davidtz, 10 deleted scenes (22 min.), two casting sessions (21 min.), five behind-the-scenes featurettes (18 min.), an art gallery, and trailers. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a love-it-or-hate-it film.] (R. Blackwelder)