Junebug

This is a story of family, relationships, and communication. The prodigal son, George, from a small town middle-class family, returns home with his new wife, Madeline, a successful modern woman who owns an art gallery. George and Madeline have journey from Chicago to George's hometown area in North Carolina to look up a new undiscovered artist, Madeline is pursuing to contract for her gallery. Only having been married for 6 months and knowing eachother 1 week before getting married, Madeline learns more of her new perfect husband during this visit. George's young pregnant sister-in-law, Ashley, takes to Madeline immediately, while others keep their distance. George falls back into his ways at home of being alone, leaving Madeline to rely on Ashley's direction. Madeline's different ways shake the set southern ways of the family revealing animosity and As Ashley's pregnancy comes due, the difference in priorities between George and Madeline are revealed. As Phil Morrison, the director, states "the ultimate verity that Junebug clings to is that darkness and light are inseparable. We go to great lengths to deny it in order to feel safe, and are shaken when this denial falls apart. Certainly there's nothing new in this, but I guess that's the point." There are many themes throughout this film, more so than discussed here. I found it to be thought provoking, leaving the theatre with much to ponder.