Ashley Judd is the "smart one" in the Judd family, known for its mother/daughter country music duo. After an indie film, and a junior role in the feminist fave television show Sisters, she favored "Ashley in jeopardy" films that were not exactly the best use of her talents. [Judd also has done some nice volunteer work, including as Global Ambassador for YouthAIDS -- I saw her on C-SPAN about a year back.] Going back to Ruby in Paradise, a sort of Southern girl personal journey flick, her latest film is Come Early Morning, a similar sort of indie ... but one that sort of skips ten years ahead with the character older, a bit more bitter, and still tied down by her past. Oh, and not having escaped from her small town origins.
The movie was written/directed, an attractive first effort, by Joey Lauren Adams -- best known for her cutesy voice and work in Kevin Smith films. Adams is from the general locale where the film takes place, so takes the usual advice of writing about what you know. It concerns a woman clearly on the darker side of thirty (she appears not to be wearing makeup and is refreshingly "average" here though buff*) who is intelligent (not the same as having good judgment) and has heart, but also has relationship issues, growing from a troubled family life. Her usual practice of one night stands (she leaves, come early morning) is wearing her down. And, when a nice guy comes around, she doesn't quite know how to handle things.
As with many indies, the flavor of the film is at least half of journey -- good use of location and supporting cast, including a few career character actors in small parts. But, surely, Ashley Judd is the star of the movie, and does a good job. The film is in some ways straightforward, though not totally predictable, but a nice indie is not a bad way to spend a time at the movies. The IMDB message board is a bit overly critical, one comment is also inaccurate as to a plot point. The NYT review is favorable, though doesn't quite think too much of Judd's range as an actress -- suggesting that she stick to this sort of thing. Well, having seen her in "Ashley in jeopardy" films, including Double Jeopardy, that isn't too bad of advice.
At least, if she can spend more time in quality entertainment of this nature.
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* No nudity ... some skin. There is a few scenes of cursing and a good amount of drinking, but this is one of those "R" rated movies that call into question the logic of the rating. It is a mature drama that serious older teens can surely enjoy and appreciate, while except for a few "fs," would be television fare. Anyway, the church scenes balance out a few curse words, right?