Juno
Rated: PG-13
Runtime: 1 hour, 32 minutes
Directed by: Jason Reitman
Starring:
Ellen Page - Juno MacGuff
Michael Cera - Paulie Bleeker
Jennifer Garner - Vanessa Loring
Jason Bateman - Mark Loring
Olivia Thirlby - Leah
J.K. Simmons - Mac MacGuff
Allison Janney - Bren
There are two stars in this movie. They're not Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner. They're also (unfortunately) not fantastic character actors J.K. Simmons and Alison Janney. The two stars are Ellen Page, who already blew me away with her shocking performance in Hard Candy, and temp-cum-stripper-cum-best-selling author Diablo Cody who will become Hollywood's go-to girl for writing smart female characters with quirky overtones and honest emotional undertones.
In a small Minnesota town, fiercely independent Juno MacGuff finds herself pregnant, not as an act of rebellion but as an act of screwing her friend Bleeker (played by the always-lovable Michael Cera). At first she plans to abort but after learning her baby has fingernails and that the receptionist hands out boysenberry-flavored condoms, she decides to give the baby up for adoption to a nice couple (Garner and Bateman) she finds in the Penny-Saver. But as the fetus matures, so does Juno and what seemed like an easy decision soon becomes difficult as she realizes people are deeper than her caustic wit allows.
Cody writes the most distinct and funny dialogue since Kevin Smith. But like Smith, she has to overcome the hurdles of making sure her characters don't all sound the same and that they understand the cadence and delivery of her words. Thankfully, she has the support of gifted director Jason Reitman (Thank You for Smoking) and the equally gifted Page. While there are a few missteps where the film is too quirky for its own good, it's still a remarkable accomplishment for a first-screenplay and for Page who is only twenty-years-old (unlike you and me, she hasn't wasted her life).
Both Page and Cody are already receiving Oscar buzz for their work and both are highly deserving of the accolades. These are two talents you shouldn't just watch. These are two talents you soon won't be able to miss.
Words by
Matt Goldberg
9.26.07