Art of Film Journal #1

Teenage pregnancy. Not really a light, dinner conversation topic but it does happen and in the movie Juno it is dealt with in an unusual but surprisingly smart way. Juno is the story of a 16-year-old girl, Juno MacGuff, who gets pregnant by her geeky friend Paulie Bleeker and decides to give the baby up for adoption. Claudia Puig of USA Today gives it four out of four stars. I am in total agreement with her. This is one of the best movies I’ve ever seen. The writing in this movie is fantastic. As Puig says, “kudos to Hollywood’s “it” screenwriter Diablo Cody.” But the writing isn’t what made the movie; it was Ellen Page who plays Juno. She gives an incredible performance. The character of Juno is extremely witty and fast-paced in her jokes and so the actor that would be picked to play her needed to be able to be witty but also be able to pull it off as being natural as well, which is exactly what Page does. But Page isn’t the only character that is portrayed brilliantly in Juno. “In a welcome deviation from stereotype, her parents (J. K. Simmons and Allison Janney) do their best to be supportive — even though they are deeply disappointed” (Puig). This is so true. Most parents would be furious and confused. Juno’s parents are somewhat like that at first but they’re also are really great and respect her decision to put the baby up for adoption and support her and stick up for her at all times. The parents are written to be quirky and awkward but also that they love their daughter and will do anything for her. That is exactly how Simmons and Janney play these roles. Their performances are flawless. The other performances that were great were the adoptive parents. Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman were perfect. Garner especially to me was amazing. At the beginning when you are first introduced to her she seems rich, snotty and stuck up but as the movie goes on you begin to like her more and more and by the end you totally love her. I love watching characters transform throughout movies. I find it so fascinating.
In her review Claudia Puig only says good things about this movie, which is somewhat strange to me. I mean I agree with her one hundred percent but I’ve never read a perfect review of a movie before. Usually even if the critic likes the movie they still critique parts of it. By her not saying anything bad or even giving some constructive criticism makes me feel like she is not a credible critic, which I guess sounds ridiculous but that’s just how I feel. But it doesn’t change the fact that Juno is an extraordinary movie. “With its original performances that can't be reduced to simplistic labels, [it] is charming, honest and terrifically acted” (Puig). I as well as Claudia Puig give it four stars and I recommend it to teenagers and their parents. Even though the subject matter is a little touchy the way the film is done doesn’t make it awkward at all. It is just a terrific witty movie about teen pregnancy.

Puig, Claudia. "Unconventional 'Juno' strikes right comedic balance." Rev.
of Juno dir. Jason Reitman. USA Today 4 Dec 2007