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Title: Juno (2007)
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Ellen Page | ... | Juno MacGuff | |
| Michael Cera | ... | Paulie Bleeker | |
| Jennifer Garner | ... | Vanessa Loring | |
| Jason Bateman | ... | Mark Loring | |
| Allison Janney | ... | Bren MacGuff | |
| J.K. Simmons | ... | Mac MacGuff | |
| Olivia Thirlby | ... | Leah | |
| Eileen Pedde | ... | Gerta Rauss | |
| Rainn Wilson | ... | Rollo | |
| Daniel Clark | ... | Steve Rendazo | |
| Darla Fay | ... | Bleeker's Mom (as Darla Vandenbossche) | |
| Aman Johal | ... | Vijay | |
| Valerie Tian | ... | Su-Chin | |
| Emily Perkins | ... | Punk Receptionist | |
| Kaaren de Zilva | ... | Ultrasound Technician (as Kaaren De Zilva) | |
A tale told over four seasons, starting in autumn when Juno, a 16-year-old high-school junior in Minnesota, discovers she's pregnant after one event in a chair with her best friend, Bleeker. In the waiting room of an abortion clinic, the quirky and whip-sharp Juno decides to give birth and to place the child with an adoptive couple. She finds one in the PennySaver personals, contacts them, tells her dad and step-mother, and carries on with school. The chosen parents, upscale yuppies (one of whom is cool and laid back, the other meticulous and uptight), meet Juno, sign papers, and the year unfolds. Will Juno's plan work, can she improvise, and what about Bleeker? Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>
Full disclosure, I would probably see Ellen Page and Jason Bateman in anything, I love them both so much. Page is of course in the starring role here, and delivers an outstanding performance as the quirky Juno, a high school who finds herself pregnant after spontaneous sex with her nerdy friend (Michael Cera). The film is very well made, with clever dialog and composed of countless little moments that are amusing, despite dealing with a serious subject. Juno resolves to give the baby up for adoption to a yuppie couple played by Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner, but things get complicated with Bateman's character begins getting close to her because of their interests in rock music and slasher films, kindling long-standing desires on his part to do more in life before becoming a father.
This is a very well-cast movie from top to bottom. J.K. Simmons plays Juno's father who is generally kind and supportive, but expresses his disappointment by saying "I thought you were the kind of girl who knew when to say when". Page's facial reaction, followed by her response, "I don't really know what kind of girl I am" is priceless, and just one of many great scenes for her. Allison Janney plays her step-mom, and has a powerful moment telling off the ultrasound technician while sticking up for Juno, and then later quipping "doctors are sadists who like to play God and watch lesser people scream". Cera plays awkward teenage dorkiness naturally, and Olivia Thirlby turns in a solid performance as Juno's friend.
This is a 'teenage film' that is smart, and has so many positive messages; it's accepting of unorthodox kids and difficult situations, which everyone deals with as Juno does, with humor and head up high. It's an empowering film, and a love story. The scene of Cera and Page strumming guitars and singing 'Anyone Else But You' (by The Moldy Peaches) is a sweet ending and caps off a nice alternative/indie soundtrack. Page really established herself with this film, and is well worthy of the Academy Award nomination she received.