Pros: See review.
Cons: See review.
The Bottom Line: In the end-game Juno is entertaining, but scratch below the surface and you will see a movie that none too realistic, at least in this America.
Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie''s plot. What can be said about Canadian actress Ellen Page within the paragraph’s of this review that have not already been said by countless silver-screen reviewers before me. She is a wonder, a lithe woman trapped in a girl’s body, but she owns the screen in every movie I have had the privilege of seeing her perform in. Such is the case with last year idiosyncratic movie that everyone seems to love Juno about a teenage girl, a baby in her belly, her reluctantly supportive parents, the couple who want to adopt the baby (sort of), and the unassuming boyfriend whom she loves, but is quick to deny it.
Much too has been made of the writer of this little movie (Juno) that could: Diablo Cody, an exotic dancer, now darling of the Hollywood movie scene. Ms. Cody proves once again that we humans are not the sum total of our jobs, and that often we are multi-faceted creature capable of so much more than given credit for.
The Story
Directed by Jason Reitman (Thank You for Smoking) Juno is Juno MacGuff (Page) grungy wise-cracking 16-year old girl who recently had sex—for the first time—with her friend Paulie Bleeker (Michael Cera – Arrested Development) an unassuming boy who fronts a garage band and runs track. He and Juno share a love of music and each other, though neither can pin a label on their feelings.
After the two have sex, Juno finds out she is pregnant. She wants to have an abortion, but rethinks the idea and decides to put the budding, growing human up for adoption. With the help and support of her friend Leah (Olivia Thirlby – Kidnapped) Juno finds a couple in the Penny Saver to adopt the baby. The couple Vanessa and Mark Loring (Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman) are eager, perhaps too eager, the adopt Juno’s mistake, and as the story progresses Juno and Mark form a relationship built on their mutual love of music.
Meanwhile, Juno courageously tells her parents, Mac and Bren, portrayed by J.K. Simmons (Oz, Law & Order Special Victims Unit, The Closer) and Allison Janney (The West Wing, American Beauty, The Hours) of her condition, and though disappointed they support her.
My Thoughts
To say Juno is idiosyncratic is kind. Everything about this movie is decidedly off beat right down to the music, which after a while became annoying! We never gain insight into Juno’s inner thoughts, never learn what makes her seem jaded and far too cynical to be so young. And far too worldly for her age I might add. Juno’s actions seemed a little too mature for her age, a little too thoughtful and wise, as if the screen-writer, the aforementioned Ms. Cody forgot who she was writing about and interject a little too much of herself into her protagonist. What young adult, let alone hormonal teenager is as breathlessly self-aware as Juno?
That’s not to say Juno wasn’t enjoyable, it was, but the flaws in the canvas were apparent. Ellen Page turns is another stunning performance as the quick-witted pregnant teen who hatches the perfect plan to rid herself of the love-child only to watch it (almost) fall apart. It’s a delight to see Page at work; her face is so innocent looking, and yet…
Jennifer Garner as Vanessa is playing against type here; her characters are usually strong driven women, but here Garner portrays a vulnerable, sad woman in search of an identity, an identity only a baby can apparently give her. Garner’s Vanessa cannot have children of her own, for reason’s not explained in the movie, but she wants nothing more in her life than a cute cuddly baby. You know the type: she has read all the baby books and gone to all the baby classes, and he life will not be compete without a baby, or two, or three. Garner plays the role well; how could she miss there is not much substance to it.
In the end-game Juno is entertaining, but scratch below the surface and you will see a movie that none too realistic, at least in this America. In a society where teen girls have babies in public toilets and then casually go back to prom, and enter into bazaar pacts to raise their children together; need I say more? And what American teen, or even above average American adult can speak intelligently about China‘s Maternal and Infant Health Care Act?
Recommended:
Yes
Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older
