The key to embracing Juno is to harbor the anticipation of seeing real growth throughout. The titular character played by the brilliant Ellen Page is a whip-smart teenager who gets pregnant. She grows up by realizing how she is not as mature or as intelligent as she thinks she is and that her precocious observations and assumptions about the adults around her do not translate into reality. The same can be said for this film; it starts off with a sputter but gradually picks up steam to close in a truly moving finish.
I have to admit that the rocky opening did have me worried, as all of the film’s dialogue for the first 20 minutes or so really sounds like it is trying too hard to be quirky in that indie-film fashion that is at last turning into a cliché. A notable example is the exchange between Juno, who is buying her third pregnancy tester in a convenience store, and the store clerk, Rollo (Rainn Wilson), who teases her after she sees a plus sign, “What’s the result, fertile-myrtle? That ain’t etch-o-sketch. This is one doodle that can’t be undead.” Even her discussions with her best friend, Leah (Olivia Thirlby), about what to do with the baby seem awfully glib for a teenager and it looked like Diablo Cody’s first-time screenplay was inserting every smart phrase and cutesy name-calling it could think of without finding a steady rhythm.
Soon enough, however, the film turns warm and truthful and the characters very particular when she decides to tell her dad and stepmother, Mac (J.K. Simmons) and Bren (Allison Janney), who have to be the most understanding, benevolent parents in movie history. They react with shock of course; even with the consolation that she has decided to have an abortion and that she has already found a willing couple of potential adoptive parents, Vanessa (Jennifer Garner) and Mark (Jason Bateman) from a classified ad. Neither of the parents panic or get angry, however, and when Mac flatly but not coldly says, “I thought you were the kind of girl who knew when to say when,” Juno’s reply is the most honest line in the film: “I don’t know what kind of girl I am.”
Article comments
1 - Baritone
John,
I'm surprised no one has responded to your review. I like it.
Perhaps that's because I agree with your assessment of the film which my wife, younger son and I saw Christmas night.
I had the same response to the dialogue early and here and there later in the film. It was too self-consciously "teen-age hip," or whatever.
But we all warmed to the characters and the story as it progressed. It was, for the most part, a tour de force for Ms. Page. I do believe she was a bit too self-possessed for a 16 year old, but as you indicate, it was that shell of self-confidence which is stressed close to breaking when her notions about herself and others don't match reality.
As with most of the better indie films, it doesn't generally take the road most traveled. It leads you down some unexpected paths which is what sets such films apart from similar fare one might find on the tube.
In my mind I did predict that Bateman's character would do much as he did. I was pleased that Juno was not taken in. Her response to him, and her invitation to Garner's character was Juno's victory.
Baritone
2 - Erin Rose
Juno is the best movie I have ever seen. It was so funny but it had a great message. All of the actors are in such good character. Ellen Page is so funny she is such a natural actress. Michael Cera is really funny too. If you haven't seen it yet I strongly suggest you see it. Diablo Cody is an amazing writer. The lines are so original and hilarious.
I give this movie 5 out of 5. If I could give is more than 5 out of 5 I would. It was that amazingly great. Juno is my favourite movie EVER!
3 - tori
i LOVE this movie!