A superb indie film that is comparable to any major production.

Rating: 9/10 (22 January 2008)

After seeing Juno, I couldn't help but wonder why the credits were so colorful and uniquely shaped. Then I remembered that this was an indie film. Funny, it doesn't play like one. For all that has been said about independent films and their right in Hollywood, I have seen a few that are good (Little Miss Sunshine) and others that are great (Garden State). Juno is, in my opinion, one of the better ones to come out the past decade. The key here, like in most films, is the main character and the writing. Ellen Page as Juno MacGuff is incredibly good. At a mere 4'11", she looks the part and has the witty tongue and charming face to go with it. From the opening scene with the chair to the final scene with Paulie, we love her and only want the best for her. While most of that can be attributed to Page's excellent performance, a large amount of credit must be given to first-time screenwriter Diablo Cody. Here is a premise which has been done before in many different ways, and there are so many instances which could have led this film to be only sub par or good. Cody, though, walks the line and doesn't take a side on teen pregnancy. Instead, she focuses in on the path to pregnancy and birth. It is humorous, sad, and heartwarming. This film charmed nearly all the critics and most fans, so I expected it to receive at least 3 Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Actress, and Screenplay (which it did). Overall, this is a great film that gives marvelous insight to a more personal problem of teens in America. Never before has it been this mainstream, and never before has it been this touching. A truly great film, indie or not.