Conservative Propaganda

Rating: 10/10 (24 December 2007)

Yep, it shows the possibility of the unwanted childed being a "gift from Jesus" as Juno's mom described it, rather than "a problem solved." But a film like this could give "propaganda" a good name. It was genuine, touching, engaging, amusing, intelligent and deeply felt. As an example of the cinematic art, it fully deserves the ten stars I gave it. But now lets get down to reality.
Juno, delightfully portrayed by Ellen Page is a golden girl in a golden world. Blessed by an understanding mother, and a step father whose only goal was offering love and support to his child, is a rare gift. Sure, she is a talented gorgeous bright girl, but in the wrong high school that wouldn't be enough to shield her from the vulnerability of carrying a child to term.
I have to compare this film with another of the finest films I've seen that covered the same territory of unwanted pregnancy, Jesus' Son (check out my review). In both cases the parents loved each other, in both cases they both dealt with the challenge of what to do with the unwanted child. But in the earlier film the parents were drug addicted and had no social support system.
Most women faced with the challenge of unwanted pregnancy have a life somewhere in between the two depicted in these two films. Decisions are personal, based on what the mother has to give, whether she has the resources, and whether the child will be a beautiful white baby, desired by all, or one of the races less marketable in this country.
So, while I loved this film, it touches on an issue that is in the forefront of our public political life. It behooves us to keep this in the perspective of the real world out there, where delightful happy endings just may not always be possible.