THUNDERCATS ARE GO!: An Archived version of a Juno Review

Juno: Not Just Another Indie Film

Juno is the sort of movie you want to hate. Except you never can because it’s so damn good.

In what seems to be a new wave of films attempting to capitalize on the quirkiness of so-called Indie films, comes this year’s “Juno”, a sweet coming of age comedy about Juno, a pregnant teenager coping with choosing the perfect adoptive family.
Like last year’s Little Miss Sunshine, “Juno” captures a wide audience despite its low budget. There’s no gross out humor, explosions, or even nudity, unlike many of the other films perched at the top of the box office. While “Sunshine” capitalized on a cast of eccentric characters, Juno relies on its witty script, from first-time writer Diablo Cody. Cody’s jokes are sharp and can appeal to a varied audience. My only beef, however, comes from Cody’s attempt to incorporate hip young slang. Phrases like “what the blog” and “Geez, Banana! Shut your freakin’ gob!” may strike a chord with older audiences unfamiliar with generation Y. Admittedly, it is difficult to predict the next “it”phrase. (Think Disney’s “Shut up” a la “The Princess Diaries” or one of half a dozen Lindsay Lohan movies.
Cody also weaves in the more obvious jokes. When Juno attempts to go to the abortion clinic she meets Su-Chin, an Asian pro-life activist with broke English who chants, “All babies want to get borned! All babies want to get borned.” There’s also the intimidating punk-rock receptionist who attempts to have Juno take samples of Boysenberry condoms she swears makes her “boyfriend’s junk smell like pie”.
Ellen Page isn’t new to the movie scene. As Juno she’s smart and sassy, yet vulnerable. As her relationship with Paulie Bleeker (Arrested Development’s Michael Cera) progresses, Juno opens herself to be
Jennifer Garner also gives a surprising performance. After cinematic backwash like “13 Going on 30” and action flick “Elektra”, Garner finally takes herself seriously for the first time since 2001’s “Pearl Harbor”. Garner plays Vanessa, a high-strung type A eager to delve into motherhood. She and on-screen husband Mark Loring (Jason Bateman – also of Arrested Development fame) play well against each other. Bateman is the reluctant adoptive father-to-be who befriends Juno. Mark and Juno’s onscreen chemistry is delightfully awkward and makes for cinematic gold.
Director Jason Reitman incorporates just the right amount of kitschy cute without going over the age. Sure there are some cheesy lines. When Juno’s father Mac leans that Juno is pregnant and says, “I thought you were the kind of girl who knew when to say when,” to which she replies in a whimsical voice “I don’t know what kind of girl I am.” Or when Juno and Paulie pick up their guitars and sing a Kimya Dawson song from the film’s soundtrack. Still all of it is in good fun. “Juno” is plenty of steps up from your usual teen movie fare.