Archived: Jan 22, 2008

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‘Juno’ is numero uno

The feel good film about teenage pregnancy

By Sinclaire Joyce

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It is once in a blue moon that I walk out of a movie theatre 100 percent satisfied. When most of Hollywood films are the same recycled storylines with different characters, computer generated effects, and borrowed source material from an old TV show or films, it’s nice that “Juno” breathes fresh air into theaters.

Directed by Jason Reitman and written by former stripper and first-time screenwriter Diablo Cody, Juno is the story of an extremely offbeat Midwestern teenager who gets pregnant and instead of getting an abortion, chooses to give the child up for adoption. She deals with teen issues as well as parental issues, such as prom drama that coincides with doctors’.

Ellen Page stars in the title role and couldn’t be any more perfect for it. She delivers every line with ease and precision and every facial expression is perfect. She is your everyday normal weird kid.

A perfect counter to this character is Paulie Bleecker, played the Michael Cera. Although his character is very similar to that of Evan, in last year’s “Superbad,” Cera once again delivers a spectacular performance.

He is awkward and confused about everything, especially since his “first time” with Juno, which also caused the pregnancy, was not only uncomfortable but something to do to ease their boredom.

With a stellar starring cast, the supporting cast stepped up. J.K Simmons and Allison Janney played Juno’s father and stepmother and the chemistry and characterization couldn’t be any better. One scene that cemented their performances in this film was when Juno (Ellen Page) tells them that she is pregnant and they were hoping she got a DWI instead. It’s the classic offbeat comedy and something that you wouldn’t expect a movie parent saying about their pregnant teenager, but is not out of the realm of real life.

Another highlight of the film comes in the form of its stellar soundtrack. Similar to films like “Garden State” or “Life Aquatic,” the songs used throughout the course of the movie enhance the feel of each scene without detracting from the images on screen.

With artists ranging from The Moldy Peaches to Sonic Youth, each song choice fits perfectly within the confines of the film. Audiences will be holding back the tears during a particularly emotional sequence which is enveloped by a cover of “Sea of Love” by Cat Power.

In my opinion “Juno” is the best movie of 2007. “Juno” is funny, heartwarming dramatic when it needed to be, and hopefully opened eyes on teen pregnancy and will remove some of its stigma.

It was a film that was really about one thing: love. Love of parents, friends, family, children, significant others and oneself. It just showed it in a different way than most of us are used to seeing in films these days.

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