JUNO (English, 2007)
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Allison Janney, JK Simmons
Director: Jason Reitman
Writer: Diablo Cody
Distributor: Fox Searchlight Pictures
Official Site
Sometimes great joys come in little packages. And like a precious stone, comes this little comedy that instantly radiates the charm that makes it easily one of the best flicks of 2007.
Yes, did hear a lot of noise for this Indie flick. Thay have been raving about the movie from the various festival circuit, and usually a lot of movies do manage to generate the buzz that makes many of us curious. This is one of those few that justifies all that buzz.
For in JUNO is a romantic comedy that stands apart from the crass that the big studios churn out year in year out. KNOCKED uP already won the box office and great reviews for its male centric take on pregnancy. Now here is one from the other side of the fence. A teen pregnancy tale from a girl point of view.
But make no mistake - this is not your usual chic flick. IT is much more than that. This is one of the movies that boast of great performances, great witty lines, a story that manages to touch, and sprinkled with smart humour throughout. It is a rarity these days and it is one of those rarity that young director Reitman has come up with.
Being the son of Ivan 'Ghostbuster' Reitman, son Jason could have gone the big budget way anytime. However it is encouragin to see that he has put his hand into much more smarter stuff. His debut with THANK YOU FOR SMOKING was impressive to an extent, and with this he has certainly hit the nail.
Also well deserving all the credit is the writer for the movie- Diablo Cody. A former stripper, she in an instant has slingshot herself into one of the most hot shot of writers out there. And Juno's script proves that the lady has some great talent (as a writer, that is).
Juno MacGuff (Ellen Page) finds that she is pregnant. She takes a few more tests, but things are no different. She realise that she is only sixteen yet pregnant. All this while she still is not sure if she is in love with the father, her friend Paulie (Michael Cera). However she decides that she will go for an abortion.However she decides against it, and instead suggests giving away the child to a couple who badly requires one. And that is when she stumbles upon the wonderful looking couple Vanessa and Mark (Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman. Now in the firm belief that she has sorted out her rather 'dump of a situation', she looks forward to the nine months of labour. Somehow the situation just goes from bad to worse.
The script, the director is all in its place. But the cast is no less. Ellen Page has given such a marvellous performance in the lead role of Juno. To think of a teen that behaves like that might be something else, but Page gives such life to it that makes us love and adore the eccentric Juno.
Ellen is well supported too. Michael Care does the SUPERBAD role of the shy timid guy once again, that makes you wonder if he can act in any other role that than. But he is effective here once again. Equally impressive is his Arrested Development dad Jason Bateman who along with Jennifer Garner plays 'The Couple so Right'.
The comedy might not be slapstick, but it is clever at most times. Leaving you in chuckles throughout, this is one of the feelgood movies though it is tackling a sensitive subject like teen pregrancy. It might not be taking the topic seriously and making a light thing out of it all, but the characters still makes us involved and therefore leaves no room for complaints.
Oh before I forget...this is not just a great indie flick, but a great indie flick with an equally great indie soundtrack worth checking out!
Juno is fresh air all right. Walk into it right now!
Moviemagik rates it 4.5 outta 5