What's the most N.C. movie?

Actress Amy Adams recently celebrated her birthday. I only know this because my good friend Kevin Brewer (@RealKevinBrewer) mentioned it on Twitter by referencing three of her best roles, which included her stint on TV's "The Office."

No. 1 on Kevin's list was "Junebug." My response was "Junebug is the most authentically North Carolina film. Not even close."

If you are not familiar with it, "Junebug" involves a HIGHLY dysfunctional family in central N.C. (it was actually filmed in and around Winston-Salem). The older, more urbane brother in the family has moved to Chicago, met an English art expert and essentially turned his back on his family and his old life in Cackalacky. But -- TWIST! -- his art aficionado girlfriend wants to check out the bizarre and intriguing art of a mentally challenged man -- in N.C.! So they must come home to visit the brother's family, which includes Adams in the role of the younger brother's wife. Oh, and they live with his parents. Adams' character Ashley is ENAMORED with the big city Madeleine - and it's painful, charming and funny. To wit: here is Ashley thinking about her brother-in-law's girlfriend, whom she is about to meet:

I wonder what she looks like. I bet she's skinny. She probably is. She's skinnier'n me and prettier too. Now I'll hate her. Oh, I can't wait! 

Kevin Brewer is right: Adams is SO GOOD in this role. Here's more.



The authentic parts of the movie show up in ways that normally are butchered in film: the setting and accents. "Junebug" nails both, right down to the small details inside the homes, the church reception hall... everywhere. Heck, there are even scenes filmed at Greensboro's Replacements -- where employees discuss the Carolina Panthers!

The only thing that comes as close to "nailing" N.C. is perhaps Danny McBride's "Eastbound and Down" or his earlier "The Fist Foot Way." "Talladega Nights" has some spot-on moments, too, for sure. But even all of those are more caricature in nature.



North Carolina has a legacy with film-making, no doubt about it. Oodles of movies have been made here. But what other films are spot-on with capturing the state? It's hard to top "Junebug." Go watch it.