The Defnition of Indie

Rating: Null/10 (14 March 2012)

"Juno" is a quirky 2007 comedy written by Diablo Cody, receiving an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, and directed by Montreal's own Jason Reitman, it stars Ellen Page as the offbeat teen who faces a difficult decision on how to deal with her unexpected pregnancy.
The film begins in autumn, where Juno (Page) is seen getting rid of the chair which began the journey. The chair is where her and her best friend Paulie Bleeker (played by Michael Cera), the unconventional athlete and star of their high school track team, first conceived their child.
After three pregnancy tests, we first hear Cody's unique twist on words, which gives "Juno" a language of its own. Rollo the store owner (played by Rainn Wilson) says, "That ain't no Etch-A-Sketch. This is one doodle that can't be un-did, Homeskillet." Thus begins a series of memorable quotes that will leave viewers quoting the film hours after watching.
Being a low-budget indie flick, what makes "Juno" great is the stylistic use of music references, and the fact Juno is a teen unlike no other. She owns a hamburger phone, speaks her mind, and is- pregnant.
Even if Juno does act grown-up for her young sixteen years, she is still a model for a typical modern teenage girl who only wants the best for herself. She might not be ready for motherhood, but understands the difficult decision in the scene at the abortion clinic. After Sue-Chin mentions the baby already has fingernails, all Juno can hear are fingernails in the waiting room, which develop a rhythm of their own as her anxiety grows.
The stares she receives from classmates don't faze her. Juno's main concern is for her child to have perfect parents in a stable home- everything she didn't have growing up since her own parents divorced ten years prior. Nevertheless, history is repeated when Mark Loring (Jason Bateman) realizes he is not ready to be a father, and Vanessa (Jennifer Garner) is to adopt Juno's baby on her own.
Overall, the film is memorable and far from predictable. Juno is mature for her age and behaves as though she doesn't care about her child, but in the car scene after she finds out Mark and Vanessa are getting a divorce, she breaks down crying, wondering whether or not families are built to last.
The use of folk music, unique characters and fun tongue-twister dialogue defines the indie genre to perfection. Despite being a comedy, there may be several scenes which will require the viewer to hold a tissue nearby.
After Juno has her child, it is springtime. Cherry blossoms fill the neighborhood as she rides her bike to visit Paulie, the one who has been there for her all along.
The story ends- with a chair. Vanessa is seen holding Juno's baby in a rocking chair, making "Juno" a perfect circle of a movie for everyone to see.