Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Embeth Davidtz | ... | Madeleine | |
David Kuhn | ... | Auctioneer | |
Alessandro Nivola | ... | George | |
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Alicia Van Couvering | ... | Bernadette |
Jerry Minor | ... | Scout who stays outside | |
Matt Besser | ... | Scout who goes in | |
Will Oldham | ... | Bill Mooney, scout | |
Frank Hoyt Taylor | ... | David Wark | |
Scott Wilson | ... | Eugene | |
Ben McKenzie | ... | Johnny | |
Celia Weston | ... | Peg | |
Amy Adams | ... | Ashley | |
Bobby Tisdale | ... | Norman Venable at Replacements, Ltd. | |
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Beth Bostic | ... | Lucille, the neighbor |
Joanne Pankow | ... | Sissy, David Wark's sister |
Successful Carolinian George Johnsten meets Chicago art gallery owner Madeleine at an electoral benefit art auction- love at first sight. Madeleine decides to meet a Southern original artist, so George seizes the opportunity to come along and present her to his North Carolina parents Eugene and Peg, drop-out brother Johny and his high-pregnant wife Ashley. Confronting the outsider soon opens a can of worms as emotions revive or emerge, like admiration and jealousy. Written by KGF Vissers
I've enjoyed reading a few of the "loved it" ratings and a few of the 'hated it" ratings of movies I've seen recently...and find myself able to agree with aspects of both. The "haters" here complain this movie is slow, plot less and stereotypes Southerners. Some of that is true...this is definitely a character study, slice-of-life, indie film. Some viewers look forward to that, and are pleased when everything including the kitchen sink is not forced into a script.
The strength of this film is the interface between characters. I found them quirkily individual enough to be believable. Amy Adams positively inhabits the role of a strong, faithful, but childish, young mother, and her interactions with an intellectual, worldly, professional sister-in-law are touching, and funny. The interactions between the controlling Southern mother with her silent but wise husband and her redneck son are credible and well enough written. Also, there is a somewhat crazy, but highly inspired visionary artist....and that is a frightening and accurate portrayal.
Unfortunately, there are character inconsistencies, and the film does seem to linger in the sadder aspects of the story more than I would've liked, especially for a movie whose comic bits were so strongly done. It is not a broad comedy, but an investigation of goals and faith done through a brilliant cast who make you chuckle. Afterwards, the humor and heartache portrayed by Amy Adams' character is so wonderfully written and acted, I wished for a whole film just about her.