On the way to meet with an independent artist in the South, newlywed art dealer Madeleine is convinced by her husband, George, that they should stop to meet his family in North Carolina. Madeleine's affluent lifestyle clashes with the family, but she befriends George's wide-eyed and pregnant sister-in-law, Ashley, who is nearing her due date. Through the family, Madeleine gains greater insight into George's character.
Acting
Amy Adams' breakthrough — all nervous laughter and desperate optimism.
Direction
Morrison lets silences scream louder than dialogue.
Cinematography
North Carolina becomes a character: humid, claustrophobic, alive.
Director
Phil Morrison
Amy Adams
Ashley
Embeth Davidtz
Madeleine
Ben McKenzie
Johnny
Alessandro Nivola
George
Celia Weston
Peg
Scott Wilson
Eugene
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
Bobby Tisdale
Norman at Replacements, Ltd.
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was Amy Adams' first major film role; her Oscar nomination for Junebug launched her career. spoilerLevel: FREE
The film captures a specific 2000s indie moment when regional American stories briefly dominated Sundance. spoilerLevel: FREE
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