By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4 cats
Director: Phil Morrison
Starring: Alessandro Nivola | Amy Adams | Benjamin McKenzie | Embreth Davidtz
Country: united_states
Year: 2005
Running time: 107
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0418773/combined
Chris says: “Madeleine (Embeth Davidtz), owner of a Chicago gallery specializing in outsider art, finds herself very much an outsider when she travels to small town North Carolina to acquire a local artist’s work. Coincidentally, George (Alessandro Nivola), her husband of six months (following a seven-day courtship!) grew up nearby, so this allows her to meet her in-laws and the lifestyle George seemingly couldn’t wait to escape.
“This isn’t exactly a groundbreaking premise for a film; predictably, Madeleine awkwardly clashes with George’s family, and it’s difficult to get a handle on either her or George or why they’re even together in the first place (apart from lust). But director Phil Morrison depicts this milieu without any contempt or satire, observing rather than criticizing. He expertly employs silences as poetic interludes and uses snatches of local color (the film opens with a startling, intriguing non-sequitor) that give the film a real sense of place, the setting as predominant and felt as the characters.
“As Ashley, George’s very pregnant, young sister-in-law, Amy Adams gives a powerful, fearless performance. As if she stepped out of a Mike Leigh film, Adams at once is abrasive yet totally engaging, desperately craving Madeleine’s friendship and worldliness yet entirely genuine in her own self and intentions. She also has a scene near the end that’s just heartbreaking. See this film for her. 4 cats”