Review of Junebug (2005) by Daniel K — 06 Nov 2009

5: Pure magic, each and every time. This is one of my five favorite films made in the current millennium. It is in my top 35 all time favorites. It is absolutely spectacular. Embeth Davidtz is perhaps the most beautiful woman alive today.

Amy Adams gives her a run for her money though. The performance of both women is ridiculous in its complexity, as is the case with the entire cast. Nivola, McKenzie, Weston, Wilson, etc are all perfection.

The casting is perfect. The performances are perfect. The script is perfect. All are remarkably powerful, ambiguous, and laden with emotion and meaning. Every scene rings every so true, from the baby shower, to the scenes with the artist, to the basement church luncheon.

They all seem more real than just about anything ever put to the screeen, despite the fact that they are obviously staged. This film would be impossible anywhere else. The locations and extras add incredible layers of specificity and authenticity to the film.

Morrison isn't afraid to let the camera linger or stray from the cast and into the landscape of their lives. It reminds me of Antonioni in its complex simplicity and its ability to draw so much from a blank canvas.

Every frame is invested with meaning. No shot is wasted; no sentence irrelevant. I am as shocked with how good it is now as I was when I first saw it. Morrison works equally well with both silence and music.

He knows just when to use one or the other. Each scene is ideally amplified. The opening credits are one of my favorite scenes of all time as well. It impossible not to completely overcome by their happiness.

The first time I saw it I was flabbergasted; now I just dream about it. The ending car ride reminds me of the conclusion of The Sopranos in its brilliance. There is never any sort of resolution. The film will be different for me every time I see it, as I'm sure it is for all who are so fortunate as to experience its magic.

Each action by each character could be endlessly studied and interpreted; there are no easy answers, just as is the case in real life. Rich beyond imagination. My only real worry is that I'm not gushing enough to convey the brilliance of the picture.

I love it.