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Juno

Juno Review



Overall 4.61 of 5 view all 123 reviews




Publisher's CirclePublisher's Circle
Jo
Plymouth, MA
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A 5 star movie that started with a chair and ended with one.
5 star rating

lover of engaging movies, into movies that tell a great story, looking for entertainment, character-lover, a sucker for chick flicks, Mom of adults who were teens!
Pros

    Wonderful approach to the topic, Engaging, Great Acting

Cons
    None

DEC
30
2007
To the Point

Girl 16; lives with her dad and stepmom; mom has "abandoned" her. Girl is finding herself; girl gets pregnant. If this sounds like an ordinary story about an ordinary girl you'll be in for quite a shock because Juno is not your usual teenager nor is Juno your usual 16-year old girl gets pregnant film.

A Closer View

Juno was written by Diablo Cody and is listed as a comedy/drama. That's a fairly accurate statement though at no time was I falling off my chair laughing hysterically. I was; however, totally engaged from the second this 1 1/2 hour movie started to the second it unfortunately had to end.

Juno was nominated for 3 Golden Globes and has 14 other wins and 12 nominations. I'm a pretty good predictor of Oscar nominations and even before I read the wins this movie got I said that, Juno, played by Ellen Page, will be nominated for best actress at 20-years old. She is and I think she may in fact pull this one off. The movie is up for best movie.

Who's Who

Juno MacGuff played by Ellen Page who I don't know, played in Hard Candy, a movie you may know. She's tough, smart, unique, and has lines that few could play as well as she did. I am confident of that. She was made for this part.

The dad to be is Bleeker (most commonly called by his last name) played wonderfully by Michael Cera who is also a free spirit with a mother who doesn't like Juno. His first name is Paulie in case you're wondering.

Juno's dad is played by J.K Simmons (The Closer). He has a wonderful part as a supportive dad who clearly adores his daughter. Allison Janney (The West Wing) plays Juno's stepmom who also clearly loves Juno - thankfully we have no wicked stepmom in this picture!

Jason Bateman, as Mark Loring, plays the adoptive parent to be. He has a wonderful role as a man who has a bit too much in common with 16-year old Juno. Jennifer Garner, as Vanessa Loring, plays her part as the adoptive mom to be perfectly.

The Movie

No spoilers - i promise and I urge you not to read too much about the movie. Some will look at the movie as a feminist statement about pro-choice versus other choices. Some may wish that Juno had picked other choices. I must admit that for awhile I did but the movie wouldn't have been what it is nor would Juno be who she is if the Director, Jason Reitman, or the screenwriter, Cody, had gone any other way.

What will keep you so engaged among other aspects is Juno's ability to "hyperverbal smart-mouth" as I read in articles about the movie after I saw it. This talent and it is a talent, will leave your mouth wide open in amazement that this young actress can be - well - just so good at what she does.

The soundtrack is superb. You'll want to download it.

Some songs you'll hear include.""A Well Respected Man" performed by The Kinks; "I'm Sticking With You" performed by The Velvet Underground; "Dearest" performed by Buddy Holly; and "Superstar" performed by Sonic Youth.

Juno is rated PG-13 for sexual content; language and a mature theme.

Is this a chick flick? My husband says it's more of a chick flick than not but he enjoyed it.

Jo's Viewpoint

I loved it!

 

Last edited on Jan 07, 2008


I_thumb_up Juno is recommended by Jo


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I_comment_shdw24 Comments about Jo’s Review



Jo wrote on May 21, 2008 at 2:45PM


In response to Fardreamer's comment from May 21, 2008 at 2:07PM:

Thanks! I don't review movies very often so I love to be able to review them here where I don't have to go into some professional type analysis which I can't do. Jo


Fardreamer wrote on May 21, 2008 at 2:07PM


Nice review!


Jo wrote on Dec 31, 2007 at 10:06AM


In response to grizgrizglamcat's comment from Dec 30, 2007 at 8:31PM:

Hi, it doesn't glorify teen pregnancy in any way. Enjoy.


grizgrizglamcat wrote on Dec 30, 2007 at 8:31PM


I was kind of afraid that this movie would be an encourager of teen pregnancy, but I still wanted to see it. I'm glad that you enjoyed it and I can't wait to see it. Thanks!