Juno
Friday, 08 Feb 2008 15:55
Juno: the teen pregnancy comedy tipped to dominate the Oscars.
Directed by Jason Reitman, out February 8th in cinemas, starring Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Allison Janney, JK Simmons, Jason Bateman, Jennifer Garner, running time 96 mins.
In a nutshell…
"I'm forshizzle up the spout."
What's it all about?
When smart-mouthed 16-year-old Juno MacGuff (Ellen Page) falls pregnant after just one night with sort-of boyfriend Paulie Bleeker (Michael Cera), her biting wit is no match for the startling responsibility that early motherhood might present.
With her parents Mac and Bren (JK Simmons and Allison Janney) puzzled by how a girl as intelligent as Juno could find herself in such a quandary, Juno and Paulie's fledgling relationship put under further strain, and trouble brewing between prospective adoptive parents Mark and Vanessa Loring (Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner), Diablo Cody's script concocts an authentic, sometimes painful and always hilarious recipe.
Who's in it?
What a cast! After impressive turns in Hard Candy and the generally-disappointing X3, 20-year-old Ellen Page stakes a firm claim for the title of most promising young actress alive with her layered, loveable performance as the titular knocked up teen. A star for the future, even if the Nova Scotia native can almost certainly be relied upon to avoid the wild child path of her almost-as-talented peers.
Fans of Arrested Development will be well aware of Michael Cera's tremendous talent for portraying awkward discomfort and after he sparred brilliantly with motormouth Jonah Hill in last year's Superbad, his wounded puppy performance after Juno's immaturity inspires her to shun his affections is a thing of brilliance. One of the most funniest, most watchable young actors around.
His onscreen father in Arrested Development, Jason Bateman, stars as prospective adoptive parent Mark, detailing a surprising and disappointing character with skill only bettered by Jennifer Garner's beautifully-rendered effort as Mark's hopelessly hopeful wife Vanessa.
And as the father who's schooled his daughter in the magical power of approaching life with a pinch of salt, JK Simmons is as brilliantly dry as ever, and reminds why he's the funniest character in the Spider-Man franchise, while Allison Janney adds tremendous heart to a stepmom character that could easily lurch into parody.
As an example…
"No, I know I mean who's the father, Juno?" - Mac MacGuff:
"Umm... It's Paulie Bleeker." - Juno MacGuff:
"Paulie Bleeker?" - Mac
"What?" - Juno
"I didn't think he had it in him." - Mac
"I know, right?" - Leah
"Can't we just kick it old school? I could just put the baby in a basket and send it your way. You know, like Moses in the reeds." - Juno
"Your parents are probably wondering where you are." - Vanessa Loring
"Nah, I mean, I'm already pregnant, so what other kind of shenanigans could I get into?" - Juno
"Everyone at school is always grabbing my belly. I'm like a legend. They call me the Cautionary Whale." - Juno
Likelihood of a trip to the Oscars?
Who'd have thought it? The Academy never recognises comedies, no matter how whip-smart they are, but the board members have thankfully realised the genre merits as much consideration as any other and given Juno four utterly surprising but undeniably justified nominations.
Reitman's direction shows he's certainly a chip of the old block and while it's got little chance in the best picture, a nomination alone is a superb achievement. There's not enough room in this review to espouse the staggering talent of Ellen Page, fantastically combining emotional vulnerability, frightening intelligence and a superbly speedy wit, while former sex worker - for blogging purposes, you understand - Diablo Cody's script is as vital and full of life as anything in the best original screenplay category. If anything, it might be too clever for its own good.
What the others say
"A sharp-edged, sweet-centred, warm-hearted coming-of-age tale that's always just that little bit smarter than you think it is." - Andrew Male, Empire
"A hip and hilarious antidote to High School Musical goo. The devil in Cody's script lets in wit, anger, distress and the pain of romantic longing. Juno is more than a few smiles - it makes you laugh deeply. It's one from the bruised heart." - Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
So is it any good?
Oh, and how. Cody's script fizzes with vigour from the get-go, and with Reitman mining a Wes Anderson/Alexander Payne feel of oddball, smalltown suburban peculiarities, it manages to retain its indie sensibilities even when a Hollywood ending could be easily reached.
Though the huge-selling soundtrack's a crucial component, with the likes of Belle & Sebastian and Kimya Dawson adding low-key accompaniment, it's 70s classic All the Young Dudes from Mott the Hoople which backs one of the most romantic, sweetest scenes of the year, with Reitman also exhibiting huge promise by bringing in a surprising and remarkable twist.
Treading markedly different waters to last year's pregnancy comedy Knocked Up, the only real similarity is the role of the 'A' word - "it rhymes with shasmortion", as Jonah Hill explained - but Juno at least has the bravery to consider the topic.
With cast and crew firing on all cylinders, the best soundtrack of the last 12 months on board and a truly remarkable debut script from Cody, this is a comedy that deserves every plaudit going.
8/10
Lewis Bazley
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