Juno hits all the right notes

Rating: 10/10 (13 February 2008)

Juno...where to begin. Went to see this tonight with very high expectations. I was overjoyed that Juno payed up, and how... First of all, Ellen Page. What a wonderful little actress. I already enjoyed her smart and bitchy turn in Hard Candy, but in Juno she's a treasure to look at. The way she talks, the way she looks, the way she moves, she IS Juno. Being both naive and aware at the same time makes her a breath of fresh air to look at...to gaze at. If Ellen doesn't get her statue then no one should get it, the Academy should show some cojones and go for Page, not Piaff or Julie Christy. Going on, Juno has a great little story. It was original and sweet. Just like the characters. Juno's dad (JK Simmons) is adorable, just like Michael Cera's Bleeker. Jason Bateman is also very likable as the adopting father, and Jennifer Garner pulls it off as the desperate mom-wannabe. It's all a joy to watch, with the right pace and the right variety between drama and comedy. Juno is supported by an excellent soundtrack, with every song matching the screen.
After 96 minutes, when the credits rolled past, I was crying my eyes out. I can't recall a movie I've seen this sweet and beautiful for a while. Jason Reitman proves Thank you for smoking wasn't a lucky break, but just the beginning of a great slate. Too bad I can't give 11 out of 10...