Juno

Juno Review



Overall 4.58 of 5 view all 130 reviews
 




2009 VIP
LoveisJoy
Chicagoland, IL

Too-Cute Movie Saved by a Real-Life Twist

4 star rating

analytical, a fan of tear-jerkers
Pros

    Ensemble Cast, Sharp dialogue, Engaging, Ellen Page

Cons
    Too cutesy for a serious topic, Parents reaction not believable, Quirkiness gets annoying

JUN
22
2008
I was prepared to not like this movie simply because I had heard too much about it beforehand.  Quirky is the adjective most often used to describe the movie, and I was afraid it would be much too cute for my tastes.  After finally caving in to watch Juno, I found that while I didn't love it, I did understand and appreciate what all the fuss was about.

Juno is the title character played by Ellen Page with an authenticity and depth not often witnessed by such a young actress.  Page also shares the limelight with the sharp-witted dialogue written by Diablo Cody (who won an Academy Award for her efforts).  No matter how small the role, each character in the movie brings their A game.  There is not a false note by anyone; this is a truly ensemble effort.  Even the offbeat soundtrack and creative direction share equal billing with the actors.

My biggest problem with the story was that it did begin to beat me over the head with its unrelenting quirkiness.  Who among us has constant sarcastic-tinged comments with parents, teachers, BFFs, boyfriends, classmates, and drugstore clerks alike?  At the point where the eccentricities began to feel like overkill, a sudden twist in the story gave a much needed reprieve from the offbeat treatment of a serious situation.  It is at this point that Ellen Page's performance saves Juno (and this movie) from its prolonged navel-gazing.  In one scene, Juno seems to realize that this is not a game, but a serious issue with profound consequences.  The emotion and depth that Ellen Page displays in the last quarter of the movie really shows that she has more to offer as an actress than just idiosyncratic adolescent angst.

If you've avoided seeing Juno because of the cutesy-quirky factor, I say give it a chance.  You may find - like I did - that it is a movie that even grownups can enjoy.



I_thumb_up Juno is recommended by LoveisJoy

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I_comment_shdw24 Comments about LoveisJoy’s Review

 


VolFanGrl wrote on Jun 29, 2008 at 12:52AM

Looking forward to this movie! Thanks!

gitbean wrote on Jun 27, 2008 at 11:09AM

In response to kid-kansas's comment from Jun 27, 2008 at 10:46AM:

:~)!

kid-kansas wrote on Jun 27, 2008 at 10:46AM

In response to gitbean's comment from Jun 27, 2008 at 8:57AM:

So noted...;)

BubleFan1 wrote on Jun 27, 2008 at 9:26AM

I didn't want to see this one but I did end up renting it and we liked it. Although the relationship between her and the man adopting her baby gave me the creeps. It was just "weird."

gitbean wrote on Jun 27, 2008 at 8:57AM

In response to kid-kansas's comment from Jun 27, 2008 at 2:20AM:

Juno would be a great start!!

kid-kansas wrote on Jun 27, 2008 at 2:20AM

In response to gitbean's comment from Jun 26, 2008 at 11:33PM:

One of these days I am going to do a movie watching marathon......lol ;)

gitbean wrote on Jun 26, 2008 at 11:33PM

In response to kid-kansas's comment from Jun 22, 2008 at 10:34PM:

Bro....you REALLY need to:~)!

gitbean wrote on Jun 26, 2008 at 11:33PM

LOVED LOVED LOVED this movie....great review (as per always:~)
!

kid-kansas wrote on Jun 22, 2008 at 10:34PM

I have read a lot of reviews on it but still haven't seen it. ;)

LisaCarey wrote on Jun 22, 2008 at 10:09PM

I was very surprised with this movie and yes, some of the parenting was a little over the top, but with my own teenager I realized that if I looked at it through their eyes maybe that IS the way we seem from time to time! Great review

eryndiane wrote on Jun 22, 2008 at 8:59PM

I love your review. I was also hesitant to see this movie because of all the hype but was pleasantly surprised!

DeafMom wrote on Jun 22, 2008 at 7:07PM

Like you, once I looked past the quirkiness, I found myself enjoying the movie.

AnnaBanana wrote on Jun 22, 2008 at 3:54PM

Ya gotta love those ensemble efforts! I'll give this a try.

4 star rating
"Dealing with Teen Pregancy in a Refreshing Way"
More Juno reviews
4 star rating
""Juno" was cleverly scripted and can actually be called "cute"."



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