By: debbie lynn elias
Debuting at the AFI Fest in November 2006 and now available on DVD, COME EARLY MORNING is the story of a young Southern woman named Lucy. Fraught with fear of relationships, a contractor by day, she is committed to drunken one-night stands at night, often waking up not knowing where she is or who she is with. Written and directed by Joey Lauren Adams, in her directorial debut, Adams draws from her own experiences growing up in the South. And while the film touches on Southern sensibilities, it has something that will connect with everyone from or familiar with rural and small town America. The film as a whole not only reminded me of my own visits down South to Omaha, Georgia with my beloved devoutly religiously aunt and her pink double-wide trailer, but it also connected with little towns like Browns Mills, New Jersey.
Believable to a fault. The dialogue is right on point with the time, the era and the Southern lifestyle. Yet, the story is one that everyone can relate to in some fashion.
The cast is outstanding. Ashley Judd is the epitome of emotion and no one plays a strong-willed woman with an innocent vulnerability better than she. She does the slutty aspect of the character well, too, although I thought that emotion and portrayal was a bit too similar to that of her character in “Twisted.” Diane Ladd steps in as Lucy’s grandmother and is, of course, wonderful with her down home sarcastic wit while veteran Pat Corley takes the reins as Lucy’s grandfather. Not to be outdone, Adams even wrangled Stacy Keach to come on board as Lucy’s boss, Owen. Rock solid, Keach’s turn as Owen bodes well as a calming influence and beacon of light to Judd’s Lucy. It was also a joy to see Scott Wilson as Lowell Fowler. Probably best known of late as casino owner Sam Braun on “CSI” or his brief appearance as an American military colonel in “The Host”, his turn her as Lucy’s father Lowell is a side of Wilson not that familiar to us. And why haven’t we heard more from Jeffrey Donovan? As love interest Cal, he is the exemplification of every Southern mother’s dream of a genteel polite young man – that is until the tables turn and personality reversals and growth take shape.
Although a bit tedious at points, I can understand Adam’s choices in her direction and pacing. While it aids in setting the tone and serves as a cohesive to the scripted elements and theme of the film, some may get a bit antsy with some of the more drawn out sequences. A beautiful character study acted superbly, COME EARLY MORNING is an uplifting winner.
Lucy Fowler- Ashley Judd
Cal Percell – Jeffrey Donovan
Nana – Diane Ladd
Lowell Fowler – Scott Wilson
Owen -Stacey Keach
Written and directed by Joey Lauren Adams. Rated R. (97 min)
