I think about these things. I have that kind of mind.

Junebug is no exception to this rule. Junebug is the touching story of Madeleine (Davitz), a fun-loving exhibitor of paintings done by the untrained, autistic or mentally retarded. She recently wed George (Alessandro Nivola), an equally fun-loving Southern Dude who simply can't get enough of his smart and beautiful wife. But when an artist who is interested in signing with Madeleine's firm is located an Opie Taylor stone's throw from where George grew up the couple make this a trip that combines business with the introduction of George's new wife to his not-so-aristocratic family.

Let's see, there's Maw (Celia Weston's Peg), Paw (Scott Wilson's Eugene), George's lil' brother (Benjamin McKenzie's Johnny) and, of course, his pregnant wife whom he married straight out of high school (Amy Adams' Ashley).

It's Ashley that gets our focus here. Adams portrays her as an incredibly sunny and warm bright spot in an otherwise emotionally sterile household. Even by comparison to George and Madeleine she's a Smurf in a town filled with Grinches. She is defined by her naiveté and her unshakable optimism, even as she is clearly not being fulfilled. Johnny is so emotionally distant that he makes Alan Greenspan and Bob Newhart look like Barney the Dinosaur and Teddy Ruxpin by comparison. Johnny holds a thinly veiled resentment for the girl he left school for and he's most certainly not any more ready to be a father than he is ready to be an Astronaut. Ashley is positive that will change the very second he lays eyes on "Junebug" (the baby's nickname, be it male or female).

Madeleine is enchanted by Ashley's comical sweetness and takes to the young lady right away, offering to help in any way she can (even if it means dealing with forlorn and grabby Johnny). That is, as long as her business reason for being in B*F*E doesn't get in the way. It's an especially poignant relationship that Ashley shares with Madeleine, and in fact, the entire family, because when the thin veneer of outward joy cracks (even if only for a second), there really is nothing left to brighten this clan's shadows, and they're left with only what they bring with them.

Junebug is a very funny comedy with just enough drama to keep its varied subject matter from feeling watered down. It can also be a bit shocking, especially in some of the scenes depicted in the paintings Madeleine collects and shows. There is also quite a bit of metaphor riding just under the main text of the script, which can both help and hinder depending on how it's handled. (Regardless, such a thing would almost certainly make repeated viewings a treat.) Sometimes the mix of all these differing parts isn't perfect, but it still makes for a good and smart comedy for the thinking person. Just where we're going in the final act is uncertain, and possibly intentionally so. It's a very uncertain movie filled with very uncertain characters in very uncertain situations. Ashley is the bright spot, the illusion that everyone clings to (so they don't have to make their own). To be sure, this would be a challenging part for any actress! Amy Adams pulls it off!

All this makes for a good movie! And yes, Embeth Davitz is briefly, yet beautifully, naked as a nympho on prom night. This, as I've indicated, is always a sign that your movie's going to be good.