Juno

Expectations were high. I expected it to be a depressing, strange little film, especially considering the subject of teenage pregnancy. I expected not to like it, like so many “artsy” small films I’ve seen lately. I'm not ashamed to say that all of these expectations were wrong. It was not depressing at all, well, at least, not by the end of the film. And this little “weird” film is one of the best of 2007.

Juno is a 16-year-old highschooler in a small town in the Midwest. We first meet her at the drugstore, where she’s running out of pregnancy tests to try. You can guess what symbol she kept reading on the disposable testkit. How she deals with this problem is the plot of the movie.

I don’t want to give anything away about this film because it’s such a delight. There are so many funny bits among the ruins here that I found myself sputtering with guffawed giggles. The casting is absolutely brilliant. Young Ellen Page lights up the screen. JK Simmons as her father is a hard-working bluecollar guy, not stupid at all, but with a direct kind of wit. Juno’s stepmother is played by Allison Janney, who is great in whatever she’s in but who really found what this parent is all about. Jennifer Garner is amazing; you’ve never seen her like this before. And Michael Cera was last seen in a Judd Apatow wet dream; he is absolutely the nerdiest leading man you’ve ever seen.

It’s funny. It’s tragic. It’s drama. It’s the human comedy. Go see Juno.

Thumb’s up. Nominated for Best Picture, Best Actress – Ellen Page, Best Director – Jason Reitman, Best Original Screenplay - 2007