Watch Come Early Morning

Come Early Morning is a 2006 drama film directed by Joey Lauren Adams, starring Ashley Judd as a thirtysomething woman who is struggling to find happiness and purpose in her life in a small town in Arkansas. Judd plays the role of Lucy, a hard-drinking, promiscuous and fiercely independent woman who works at a construction company. She often wakes up hungover and alone, hoping for a better life, but not quite sure how to go about achieving it.

The movie takes place in a small Southern town where everyone knows each other and their business. Lucy has a complicated relationship with her father, whom she feels is distant and unresponsive. She is also estranged from her mother and sister, whom she left behind when she moved to the town to start her job. She spends her nights at local bars, picking up men, and trying to fill the emptiness she feels inside.

One day, Lucy meets Cal (Jeffrey Donovan), a quiet and reserved man who works at the local diner. Despite their initial awkwardness, the two of them begin a slow and tender romance, with Cal introducing Lucy to his home and his family that he is quite close too. Cal is everything Lucy is not: gentle, kind, and caring. Lucy finds herself struggling with the idea of being in a committed relationship, but she can't deny the feelings she has for Cal.

Once Lucy starts to open up about her past, we start to see that it is filled with heartache and pain. She shares how her father was physically and emotionally abusive to her and her mother, and how this abuse shaped her relationships and her life. She fears being hurt again, opening the possibility of putting her faith in Cal which she eventually does.

Lucy's journey to self-discovery is well portrayed in this film, heightened by her vulnerability and determination to break free from her past disappointments. Her courage to take control of her life and confront her painful memories is both inspiring and heart-wrenching. Ashley Judd delivers a powerful performance that brings to life Lucy's struggle and leaves the audience rooting for her to find the happiness and the love she deserves.

The movie does not offer one happy ending for all the characters involved, but an open door for them to walk through and continue their lives, motivated by what was learnt. The well-written script peculiarly captures the old southern vibe and the complexity of Lucy's character with the director Adams’ approach to storytelling, creating a resonating film that one cannot easily forget. The cast's combination of Ashley Judd, Jeffrey Donovan, and Tim Blake Nelson, along with a supporting cast of color personalities, adds richness to the portrayal of the narrative and its authenticity.

Overall, Come Early Morning is a compelling drama that explores the themes of family, self-discovery, and hope. It is not a movie that offers simple solutions or easy answers, but instead encourages us to confront our past and embrace the possibilities of the future.

Come Early Morning is a 2006 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2 and a MetaScore of 64.