Juno – A

I saw Juno before FilmADay existed. It was one of the films that actually inspired me to start FilmADay. I liked it so much the first time that I decided to see it again last night, and I am still singing it’s praises. Writer Diablo Cody should be a name you remember or at least acknowledge after this review. Her witty, biting humor is the way comedy movies are moving. Speaking of moving, hats off to Jason Reitman, this follow up to Thank You For Smoking announces the arrival of a real artist.

Ellen Page portrays Juno, a pregnant teenager involved in what could be deemed an American Tragedy. We’ve all heard the stories of someone who knew someone who had a kid. So the comical spin Cody writes for Page would seem impossible. The task is monumental, to make this sort of thing funny requires serious talent and the casting director delivered.

Arrested Development (RIP) lends us both George Michaels for guaranteed laughs. Bateman and Cera are great supporters, but I was most taken with J.K. Simmons. He plays Juno’s dad, and gives the heartfelt attachment that is so hard to do in these quick witted comedies. I heard quite a few whimpers/tears the first time I saw the film when he gives Juno the “finding the right guy” speech.

Technically I was happy with this film.  Reitman uses the camera to aide the funny moments (car on belly).  He’s also able to cut to black 4 (?) different times.  This is a ballsy move, but it works.  The transition isn’t seamless as it’s supposed to be, but it marks the end of something each time.

Originally I gave this film an A-. This is probably due to the fact that I had to sit really close (a pet peeve) and I had been waiting in line (automatically makes me moody). That being said, I think this film is aces. I’m having an internal debate on whose performance I liked more, Amy Adams in Enchanted? Or Ellen Page in Juno? (See Golden Globe Nominations)

I’m leaning towards Ellen Page on this one. I think it’s a harder sell (barely) than a modern day princess. Much like Enchanted this film looks at women’s roles, and challenges them head on. Michael Cera is funny, but he’s a push over. Juno deals with the pregnancy alone. Compare this to the feminist Enchanted and we’re seeing a fun little trend beginning. Even Jennifer Garner was on her game. An Actress I usually take issue with challenged herself with the role of a woman unable to concieve.

It appears that as an audience, we want more women, and I don’t mean Jessica Alba. I mean the actual actresses who put it on the line and deserve to be praised for their success.

This review comes after the announcement of Jamie Lynn Spears’ (I don’t care if that’s spelled right) pregnancy. I’ve made myself very unpopular in my family for being opinionated on this issue. It’s a disgrace, not the pregnancy, I really couldn’t care less. What I am upset about is the press, and that this is “news”. If it were up to me, I’d take Jamie Lynn and show her Juno about 400 times in a row until she realized it’d be a good idea to give it up for adoption or have an abortion. These are my thoughts….and oh yeah…THERE WILL BE BLOOD (3 days)