Great Change of Pace

Rating: 8/10 (9 January 2008)

After the breathless blockbuster race of 2007, seeing films that realize the emotional (as opposed to visual) appeal of the art is rather nice. Juno will show moviegoers that awesome special effects are not the only qualities that can make a movie a hit.
With great, captivating performances by the entire cast, Juno spotlights the subtle, small moments of life that are often overlooked. The unique quirkiness of Juno especially makes the movie worth watching. Page is a combination of eccentric, rebellious, romantic, and cocky; the result of such a mixture is a compelling character, the likes of which haven't been portrayed so convincingly since the John Hughes films of the '80s (Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller, etc.).
But Juno's take on her predicament--her unplanned pregnancy with a quiet schoolmate named Bleeker--does become slightly irritating. In the scene where she meets her adoptive parents (Garner and Bateman) for the first time, the focus eventually shifts from her to Garner's character because the protagonist's insensitivity toward the situation is almost repulsive. You almost want to slap Juno for her immaturity toward a situation with such gravity, a contrast to the film's delicate and sympathetic treatment of her pregnancy.
But Juno's eventual maturity is redemption for her initial arrogance. Page gives a multifaceted, heartfelt depiction of a teenage mother, and the impact of her decision on the rest of the Juno universe is made believable by the great performances of the rest of the cast. The subtlety of JK Simmons and Bateman's acting is something to marvel at considering the types of characters they usually play.
The script is excellent. The writing really captures the point of view from the adults and children equally and with authenticity. It's hard to fully support or oppose Juno's decision because you also become attached to the rest of the multifaceted characters. The screenwriter's ability to develop fully fledged, realistic individuals in an hour and a half should not be ignored.
The folksy quaintness of the score, mellow colors of the cinematography, and great humor of immaculate editing all contribute to the movie's polite quirkiness. The director's refusal to ignore the minor realistic and cinematic elements of Juno creates an engaging, compelling, heartwarming story that will be a great way to begin the movie-going journey of 2008.