Juno Review

Bottom-Line:  In the end-game Juno is entertaining, but scratch below the surface and you will see a movie that none too realistic, at least in this America. 

What can be said about Canadian actress Ellen Page within the paragraph's of this review that have not already been said by countless silver-screen reviewers before me.  She is a wonder, a lithe woman trapped in a girl's body, but she owns the screen in every movie I have had the privilege of seeing her perform in.  Such is the case with last year idiosyncratic movie that everyone seems to love Juno about a teenage girl, a baby in her belly, her reluctantly supportive parents, the couple who want to adopt the baby (sort of), and the unassuming boyfriend whom she loves, but is quick to deny it.      

Much too has been made of the writer of this little movie (Juno) that could: Diablo Cody, an exotic dancer, now darling of the Hollywood movie scene.  Ms. Cody proves once again that we humans are not the sum total of our jobs, and that often we are multi-faceted creature capable of so much more than given credit for. 

My Viewpoint

To say Juno is idiosyncratic is kind.  Everything about this movie is decidedly off beat right down to the music, which after a while became annoying!  We never gain insight into Juno's inner thoughts, never learn what makes her seem jaded and far too cynical to be so young.  And far too worldly for her age I might add.  Juno's actions seemed a little too mature for her age, a little too thoughtful and wise, as if the screen-writer, the aforementioned Ms. Cody forgot who she was writing about and interject a little too much of herself into her protagonist.   What young adult, let alone hormonal teenager is as breathlessly self-aware as Juno?

That's not to say Juno wasn't enjoyable, it was, but the flaws in the canvas were apparent.  Ellen Page turns is another stunning performance as the quick-witted pregnant teen who hatches the perfect plan to rid herself of the love-child only to watch it (almost) fall apart. It's a delight to see Page at work; her face is so innocent looking, and yet...