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Juno (2007) Fox Searchlight
Pictures, 1 hr. 32 mins.
Starring:
Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, J.K. Simmons,
Allison Janney, Olivia Thirlby, Eileen Pedde, Sierra Pitkin, Rainn Wilson
Directed by:
Jason Reitman |
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The winning teen pregnancy comedy
Juno is a remarkable triumph because it does the small things correctly.
Filmmaker Jason Reitman promotes a heartwarming tone wrapped up in a
sharpened witty flippancy. This quaint yet charming examination of a
brainy 16-year-old girl who losses her virginity on a sexual whim then
becomes knocked up as the result of her hormonal curiosity definitely
isn’t an encouraging sell based on the radical premise. Reitman manages to
sparehead Juno as a quirky fable about one teen’s observational cynicism
about life’s minimal mousetraps. Of course this narrative is skillful when
presenting our harried heroine’s low-key angst within a bigger scheme of
an overwhelming existence. Cunningly perceptive and hip in its
irresistible skepticism about the comforts and uncertainties of love, Juno
is enchantingly bright and breezy in its effecting resonance.
Juno MacGuff (Ellen Page) is the precocious yet spunky pregnant teen whose
casual “roll-in-the-seat” with her soft-spoken boyfriend Paulie Beeker
(“Superbad’s” Michael Cera) lands her with an unexpected “bundle of joy”.
Juno panics but in a quiet sense as she makes a trip to an abortion clinic
only to change her mind and decide to put up the unborn child up for
adoption. With the assistance of her best pal Leah (Olivia Thirlby), they
decide to refer to a pennysaver newspaper ad where they notice a seemingly
respectable young married couple looking to adopt a child. After all, Juno
realizes that she cannot take on the responsibility of an infant and wants
her child to have the best where she cannot provide such a secure
emotional and financial life.
Now Juno, incidentally named after the Greek goddess with a defiant
temper, has the dubious task of breaking this regrettable news to her
working-class father Mac (J.K. Simmons from the “Spider-Man” flicks) and
stepmother Brenda (Allison Janney, “Hairspray”) about her accidental
pregnancy. Surprisingly, Juno’s parents—although disappointed in her bad
judgment—are calm and supportive but nevertheless are there to help Juno
through this sudden crisis. Brenda is instrumental in taking Juno to her
doctor’s appointments for pre-natal care. As for Mac, he accompanies Juno
to the aforementioned married tandem The Lorings (Jennifer Garner and
Jason Bateman) found in the pennysaver advertisement. Husband Mark is a
composer for TV commercials but really is a frustrated musician that never
made the big time. Wife Vanessa is the real working stiff in the family
and is the uptight one about wanting a baby to complete their posh,
yuppie-inspired lifestyle in the scenic suburbs.
Eventually, Juno becomes intrigued with the Lorings and feels satisfied
that her baby’s future with these people could be peaceful and prosperous.
Strangely, Juno’s attachment to the Lorings through random visits proves
to be quite revealing. Mark and Vanessa’s loving facade starts to show
some dysfunctional cracks. Mark bonds with Juno over head-banging music
and gory flicks while demonstrating ambiguous signs of affection for the
acid-tongued teen. In the meanwhile, Vanessa questions Juno’s numerous
visits to their mansion and develops paranoia as for why Juno is always
hanging around her venue. Wisely, Brenda tries to tell Juno that her
interference in the lives of the Lorings may have vital consequences when
everything is said and done.
Can Juno see the writing on the wall that she innocently adds to the
tension of the Lorings’ strained relationship? What will become of her
baby providing that the likable Lorings aren’t for real in this so-called
loving makeup? Can Juno find a concrete connection with her indecisive
soulmate Paulie in the midst of her bulging belly blues? Will Juno
overcome all the crass criticism from cruel-minded classmates that object
to her moral dilemma of carrying a child as a high schooler?
Candidly, Juno is subversively spry and clever in its bid to use the
device of teen pregnancy as a metaphor for carrying the burden on one’s
youthful shoulders for life’s unknown intentions and tendencies.
Screenwriter Diablo Cody whips up an unassuming mixture of pithy and
pathos as the material shifts eloquently in the slaphappy shenanigans at
large. This spirited exposition is a concoction of raw emotion and giddy
vibes accompanied by delightfully devilish dialogue, an unconventional and
playfully kooky soundtrack and the obligatory movie “message”—in this
case, the hot topic concerning adoption/abortion and the cautionary theme
about children aimlessly having children. Reitman is intuitive as to not
let this film become too heavy-handed, preachy or petulant about the
touchy issues it raises regarding Juno’s sensitive plight. Clearly, this
is more on the level of a talented but misguided young girl thinking that
her philosophy on existence isn’t as clear cut or as comprehensible as she
falsely imagined. Juno is about lightweight teenaged rebellion and
disillusionment from an innocuously cockeyed perspective.
The performances are absolutely honest, insightful and embracing. Ellen
Page captures the unique essence of Juno MacGuff and is resoundingly
refreshing as the glib gal that doesn’t totally see the complications of
her self-imposed actions. Cera is right on cue as the dead pan Paulie that
exists only to simply run track and play his music at will. Paulie is a
sideline victim to Juno’s predicament he helped partake in a moment of
reckless passion. Television stalwarts Bateman (“Arrested Development”,
“The Hogan Family”) and Garner (“Alias”) are fascinating as a high-living
married couple practically living a lie in surfacing doubt and denial.
Simmons deserves an Oscar nod as the sensible dad whose tranquil guidance
toward his bewildered daughter is reassuring in love and understanding.
Emmy award-winning Janney is exuberant and resourcefully feisty as the
stepmom that has a genuine interest in Juno’s wayward welfare.
Armed with robust contributions from a solid cast of characters and the
ear-pleasing tunes courtesy of songbird Kimya Dawson, Juno fits the
irreverent bill as one of 2007’s distinctively enriching comedies to
register in our cinematic consciousness. |
