Juno (Single-Disc Edition)
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Movie Reviews of Juno (Single-Disc Edition)
Movie Review: Unconditional Love
Summary: 5 Stars
"Juno," it seems to me, is all about unconditional love. Everyone is looking for love. Everyone. And when we find it, its usually a function of some condition - how weathy, attractive, powerful, well-behaved, or talented we are. We won't admit it, but we know it.
By getting pregnant at sixteen, Juno the title character, commits a serious lapse in judgement upon which we might expect some of the love she receives to be conditioned (i.e., we will love you only as long as you don't make terrible mistakes). Instead, her father, stepmother, best friend, and boyfriend (the father of the baby) all step up wonderfully, and in their own unique ways, to remind Juno that their love is not a function of her "irresponsibility," to quote her father.
But there are even more lessons about unconditional love here. We learn about it from the adoptive mother who already loves the unborn baby unconditionally. Juno, the recipient of unconditional love herself, is therefore able to recognize it in this woman, so she decides to follow through with the adoption.
Ellen page is spectacular in this role. We will have to wait and see if its just roles like this which appear to be made for her, or whether its raw talent. Wow, is she good.
The screenplay is filled with sweet little ironies (unattractive people have the most attractive hearts; bashing the evil stepmother sterotype, men can be sensitive and understanding, the "cool" adoptive Dad who relates so well to Juno, turns out to be a vapid jerk, etc.), and plenty of gold nuggets buried here and there (the "I'm still in, if you're still in" framed on the wall, when the boyfriend says "well, I think you're pretty" (no wonder he's getting alot of sex), and when the Dad tells Juno how to tell if you really love someone, "when they think light shines out of your..., and Juno's best friend is of all things, a cheerleader, etc.).
Yeah, you have to suspend your discomfort with teenage pregnancy, but this is the challenge issued to us by Diablo Cody => Can we look past the exterior, the circumstances, and our prejudices to see the real person and perhaps love that person?
Kudos to everyone involved in this film. The opening animation was spectacular, and the music fit in so well. To the boys who put up the money for this movie, trusting the producer, Director, and screenwriter; Congratulations! Risk has its rewards.
Movie Review: Product Commercials With A Plot
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie has more product placements and commercials than you would see in an evening of watching TV. Many of these seem forced, out of place, and have a sour note quality. However, this movie is being touted as the best movie of the year and in my opinion it deserves all of the praise and hype it is getting. It is so good that it is hard to start describing why it is so good.
The screen play and plot are relatively simple and uncomplicated and there are some scenes that could be improved but any weakness in the screenplay is more than offset by some of the scenes and lines that are some of the best I have seen in any movie in a long time. Near the beginning we see the boys running track and we hear Juno comment that she loves watching their "things flop up and down" and "all she can think of are all of those "pork swords". We see the boys running throughout the rest of the movie and it is hard to erase this from your mind. Then we have the fight over the senior prom. Michael Cera's performance here as the wounded dad and exboyfriend is superb, of course Ellen Page does an outstanding job throughout the entire movie. Another great scene is with J K Simmons (her dad) when she asks him if true and enduring love is possible. Speaking from the perspective of a 40 year marriage his response was spot on -- a short but well done scene.
Then we have the couple who are slated to adopt the child. Jason Bateman as the prospective dad does an incredible job of showing his immaturity and self-centeredness. His reaction when Juno calls him old and rejects him is truly excellent since so much of it is in his expression and body language. Every single actor in this film did an outstanding job and Ellen Page and Michael Cera were the best I have seen in any movie this year.
The camera work was excellent as was the direction. The scene with the freight train was very symbolic and beautifully done just as the scene where Bateman bolts down the stairs to see Juno. No words were needed -- great direction.
I loved this movie but much of it hit too close to my youth and it left me sort of depressed even though it has a semi-happy ending. I don't think this is a movie suitable for young children but I think it is wonderful for teens. This is a great movie and should be a candidate for best movie. I gave it 5 stars and it deserves every one of them.
Movie Review: Pragmatically pregnant
Summary: 5 Stars
Juno MacGuff (Ellen Page), 16, a high-school junior and proud misfit, becomes pregnant in a why-not moment of boredom one autumn afternoon by her somewhat nerdy best friend Paulie, who she calls by his last name, Bleeker. She doesn't quite believe it when she realizes, only after an ocean of Sunny Delite and three pregnancy tests, that she IS, in fact, pregnant; her snappy conversation with the nosy and slightly-creepy pharmacist establishes, however, that she finally has accepted the reality and that now she must do something about it.
Her first move is to call the person I would really style as her best friend, Leah (Olivia Thirlby), and recruit her into helping her face the problem. It helps to know that these two are actual best friends off-screen; there is undeniable ease and trust between them, and they go about working out what needs to be done. An early visit on Juno's part to an abortion clinic is, well, abortive; she runs full tilt out of the building and, with Leah's counsel, decides to find the right young childless couple looking for a baby.
The manner in which this 16-year-old girl goes about such a serious matter is a joy to watch. She is initially flummoxed by the problem ("the sex was premeditated, but not the pregnancy" she tells Leah), but once all the votes are in, she accepts complete responsibility and forges ahead. The scene where she tells her parents - a sweet, slightly daffy couple played by J. K. Simmons and Allison Janney - shows that she is willing to do whatever she has to to see that everything comes out right for all concerned. Having her best girlfriend back her up in everything is great to watch as well - as is the fact that her parents, while not happy about the situation, do not fault her for it but stand by her all the way.
An earlier reviewer styled this a man-hating film, which I do not agree with. I see it more as a young girl who marches to her own drum facing a bump - you will pardon the pun - in the road of life with pragmatism, humour, and dignity; not turning on the father of the baby, but still including him in her life (if not the decision about the baby); and coming out remarkably well. Kudos for all the performances - everyone did a magnificent job, including the would-be adopters of Juno's baby, played by Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman (hard to think of him as grown-up, somehow). I highly enjoyed this movie.
Movie Review: Not only the best movie of 2007, but one of the best films EVER!
Summary: 5 Stars
Juno is a masterpiece; there really is no other way for me to put it. It is, at the same time, one of the most witty films, fun, and emotionally draining films made within recent memory. How is it possible NOT to like this film? Everything about it is done with such heart, honesty, and realism that every second glows and shines with brilliance. Along with the great film Brick, Juno is probably THE best independent film ever made (well, at least that I've seen).
The story starts out with Juno, a likable, sarcastic, awkward high school teen who has just discovered that she is pregnant. She decides, instead of having an abortion, to have the baby and give it up for adoption once it's born. She is far and away the best part of this film. The plot may be a little reminiscent of Knocked Up (Unrated Widescreen Edition) but it doesn't rely on cheep comedy to drive film forward; instead it utilizes its extremely likable and believable characters in a way which sets this film above most others of its kind. Juno, her father, step mother, boyfriend, best friend, they all play a critical role in the film and present viewers with a realistic portrayal of everyday American life in a small town with nothing to do. Despite their obvious problems and character flaws, despite Juno's flippant remarks like calling her baby a "sea monkey" that she "needs to let cook in the oven (her womb) a little longer" before she can give it to the adoptive parents, they just become more and more likable as the film progresses. The relationships that are developed and elaborated upon during the film, in their subtle ways, build tension better than any action movie could ever do.
If there is a movie in 2007 without a flaw, that film will be Juno. Not only one of the most quotable films I've ever seen, but one which captures the atmosphere of small town conflicts in a most realistic manner. Do not go into this film looking for deep hidden messages, unique film techniques, or dramatic over acting; simply enjoy it for what it is, a slice of life in a small town. Why on earth did I decide to see Rambo 4 in theaters instead of seeing this gem of a film?
Replay value; VERY high.
Movie Review: Sweet and Sour
Summary: 5 Stars
My biggest fear about this film was that it was going to be "Napoleon Dynamite" ala femme and I didn't get the appeal of Napoleon Dynamite at all. There's quirky and then there is over-the-top quirky. Thankfully, this was nothing like the aforementioned film.
This is a great little 1.5 hour flick well worth your time. It takes a few minutes to pull you in, for the first 20 minutes I was on the fence as to whether I was going to get involved. I couldn't tell whether there was a decent film buried among the quirky tunes and cheeky, cynical teen dialog. Be patient, a good story is in there.
Page is perfect,her mannerisms, her delivery, her presence. All totally believable. It's a story that drags you into this 16 year-olds' world and about 30 minutes in you realize that despite this kid's cheek and smart mouth, you really do like her and keep your fingers crossed for her.
Maybe a couple of the quirky tunes I could have done without. I don't know, they seemed a little over-done to me but that's ok. I love the fact that she played Mott the Hoople's All the Young Dudes, a favorite of mine that had radio play when I was about her age. It would have been great to have had a friend like Juno when I was sixteen. She certainly helps make her friend's (all 2 or 3 of them) lives interesting and entertaining.
Jason Bateman. This guy is always able to play the perfect smarmy, good-looking, charming-then-arrogant creep isn't he? I sure hope he really isn't this way in real life. Every time I see this guy the character he plays makes me want to punch him in the face (credit the writers I guess) I knew the guy was going to be a jerk from the first scene for his character (Mark).
Jennifer Garner finally gets to play in a very different role. Totally feminine and full of mother-wanna-be goodness.
I loved this film. It isn't a chick flick either, just a quirky comedy/drama about a young lady who doesn't know who she is,finds herself with child, grows up (just a little bit) and learns to deal with it. Entertaining, witty and totally believable.
One fear: Some clod will try to turn it into a TV series, maybe a "Joan of My So-Called Life" kind of thing? Leave it alone, this story is perfect at 93 minutes.