Movie Review: Juno
Movie: Juno
Date: 26 December 2007
Time: 6:20pm
Location: Century 18 Theatres, Evanston IL
Companions: Me, myself, and I
Juno could also be called Not Another Teen Pregnancy Movie. Like the popular Not Another… franchise, it takes the conventions of the genre and blasts them out of the water. I think everyone is well aware of the Lifetime teen pregnancy formula: Girl “gets herself ‘in trouble’” and has to “deal with the consequences” through a) abortion b) adoption c) keeping it and having a shotgun wedding with the -assumed- father. Tears and object lessons on morality, decency, and premarital sex ensue.
Juno gives Lifetime the finger and a hearty “Fuck you”, and goes off to blaze her own path. The film’s titular character, played by Ellen Page, is a bitchy, sarcastic, intelligent teenager, who neither tries to act older than her age, nor allows herself to be passively swept along by the situation. Her family, rather than throwing her out or coming together in an inspiring show of overwrought lurv, accepts the situation calmly and supportively, and incorporates it quietly into their everyday life. Her best friend is still her best friend, she stays in school, and even figures out what she wants to do with her baby (or “the thing” as she continually refers to it) on her own terms.
Juno, is, in a word, refreshing.
It’s also is a wickedly clever comedy. For all that its brand of humor is cerebral -fans of Joss Whedon will love this film- it’s very visceral as well. The subjects that the film deals with are incredibly serious, its characters flawed and believable, and Diablo Cody’s screenplay refuses to sugar coat anything. While the film’s characters and audience are grappling with the weighty issues of teen pregnancy and adult marriage and family and faith, the humor ambushes both parties in sharp, staccato bursts delivered with impeccable rapid fire timing by Juno’s brilliant cast. Much of modern comedy relies heavily on set up, telegraphing its delivery so that the audience can see it coming and knows when to laugh. Juno refuses to pander to its audience, shocking you with its own dark and sarcastic brand of humor and whipping you around so you’re never quite sure of your footing.
I was particularly struck with how the film dealt with the father of Juno’s child, Paulie Bleeker. Paulie, played by Michael Cera, is adorably awkward, addicted to orange Tic Tacs, and something of a joke. And at no point is he ever forced to “step up” and “be a man”. Indeed, no one in their small community even acknowledges that he is indeed the father or had anything to do with her pregnancy. It’s mentioned once, in passing (literally), and that’s it. Paulie himself flounders around, trying to come to terms with what is happening to his best friend, and his role in it, with absolutely no guidance at all during the film. Because no expectations or responsibilities are placed on him, he has no direction, and spends much of the movie being a normal high school junior while Juno, in her own words, is “dealing with things far beyond my maturity level”.
The film is rife with sharp social commentary that relies on its audience to be intelligent enough to figure it out on their own. For example, the economic difference between the MacGuff’s and the Lorings is striking- as is the never mentioned economic reality that poor women are often giving their children up for adoption to wealthy couples- and is never, ever addressed anywhere in the film. It is gratifying that Cody and Reitman made the decision not to pander to their audience, and if their recent Golden Globe nominations are any indication, I think it will pay off handsomely in the end.
PS: One of the coolest things about the movie wasn’t actually in the movie itself. I went on a Wednesday night, the day after Christmas, after the movie had been out in my area for several weeks. And yet, the theatre was packed. Cooler still was the wide cross section of people that were there. High school girls, college students, middle aged professionals, and more than a few silver haired retirees. And everyone, absolutely everyone, loved the film.
****1/2 out of *****
Oh, and my favorite line from the film?
Juno’s water breaks
JUNO: Dad? Thunder Cats are gooooooooooo!
Date: 26 December 2007
Time: 6:20pm
Location: Century 18 Theatres, Evanston IL
Companions: Me, myself, and I
Click to viewJuno could also be called Not Another Teen Pregnancy Movie. Like the popular Not Another… franchise, it takes the conventions of the genre and blasts them out of the water. I think everyone is well aware of the Lifetime teen pregnancy formula: Girl “gets herself ‘in trouble’” and has to “deal with the consequences” through a) abortion b) adoption c) keeping it and having a shotgun wedding with the -assumed- father. Tears and object lessons on morality, decency, and premarital sex ensue.
Juno gives Lifetime the finger and a hearty “Fuck you”, and goes off to blaze her own path. The film’s titular character, played by Ellen Page, is a bitchy, sarcastic, intelligent teenager, who neither tries to act older than her age, nor allows herself to be passively swept along by the situation. Her family, rather than throwing her out or coming together in an inspiring show of overwrought lurv, accepts the situation calmly and supportively, and incorporates it quietly into their everyday life. Her best friend is still her best friend, she stays in school, and even figures out what she wants to do with her baby (or “the thing” as she continually refers to it) on her own terms.
Juno, is, in a word, refreshing.
It’s also is a wickedly clever comedy. For all that its brand of humor is cerebral -fans of Joss Whedon will love this film- it’s very visceral as well. The subjects that the film deals with are incredibly serious, its characters flawed and believable, and Diablo Cody’s screenplay refuses to sugar coat anything. While the film’s characters and audience are grappling with the weighty issues of teen pregnancy and adult marriage and family and faith, the humor ambushes both parties in sharp, staccato bursts delivered with impeccable rapid fire timing by Juno’s brilliant cast. Much of modern comedy relies heavily on set up, telegraphing its delivery so that the audience can see it coming and knows when to laugh. Juno refuses to pander to its audience, shocking you with its own dark and sarcastic brand of humor and whipping you around so you’re never quite sure of your footing.
I was particularly struck with how the film dealt with the father of Juno’s child, Paulie Bleeker. Paulie, played by Michael Cera, is adorably awkward, addicted to orange Tic Tacs, and something of a joke. And at no point is he ever forced to “step up” and “be a man”. Indeed, no one in their small community even acknowledges that he is indeed the father or had anything to do with her pregnancy. It’s mentioned once, in passing (literally), and that’s it. Paulie himself flounders around, trying to come to terms with what is happening to his best friend, and his role in it, with absolutely no guidance at all during the film. Because no expectations or responsibilities are placed on him, he has no direction, and spends much of the movie being a normal high school junior while Juno, in her own words, is “dealing with things far beyond my maturity level”.
The film is rife with sharp social commentary that relies on its audience to be intelligent enough to figure it out on their own. For example, the economic difference between the MacGuff’s and the Lorings is striking- as is the never mentioned economic reality that poor women are often giving their children up for adoption to wealthy couples- and is never, ever addressed anywhere in the film. It is gratifying that Cody and Reitman made the decision not to pander to their audience, and if their recent Golden Globe nominations are any indication, I think it will pay off handsomely in the end.
PS: One of the coolest things about the movie wasn’t actually in the movie itself. I went on a Wednesday night, the day after Christmas, after the movie had been out in my area for several weeks. And yet, the theatre was packed. Cooler still was the wide cross section of people that were there. High school girls, college students, middle aged professionals, and more than a few silver haired retirees. And everyone, absolutely everyone, loved the film.
****1/2 out of *****
Oh, and my favorite line from the film?
Juno’s water breaks
JUNO: Dad? Thunder Cats are gooooooooooo!