A good movie with super performances

Rating: 8/10 (15 January 2008)

I went into this film feeling like I would almost HAVE to like this,since the buzz was nothing but good(save the scads of less-than-flattering posts on the JUno IMDb message board). I came away from the film genuinely impressed with the make-up of the film,even if the overall end product maybe left some things to be desired.
Whether you regard Minnesota teen Juno Maguff(Ellen Page,fast-walking and fast-talking through this gem role)as a typical teen might say as much about how you define the term "typical": a sardonic,artsy,semi-lonerish girl who is never shy to share her opinions about anything,her fateful encounter with the boy she loves(Michael Cera,who was probably better in "Superbad" and TV's "Arrested Development")gets her pregnant and,after initially wanting nothing to do with the pregnancy,decides almost impulsively to keep the baby,at least until she can find adoptive parents. Her search isn't particularly long as she stumbles upon an ad in the penny-saver for an attractive couple(JAson BAteman and Jennifer GArner,probably following each other from the set of "The KIngdom" to do this)who seem to be more than willing to adopt.
FAntastic performances by PAge,BAteman,GArner and J.K.Simmons(one of the more taken for granted actors in the biz)as Juno's equally sardonic but loving DAd are complimented by adequate,fine performances--if perhaps not exceptional--from Allison Janney(As JUno's step-mom),Olivia Thrilby(as her best friend)and Cera. Director Jason Reitman throws the curve by helming this(his previous flick was the scathing,sharp,slick "Thank You For Smoking")project,off a script by exotic dancer Diablo Cody. Both Reitman and Cody make a humane and funny(if perhaps over-written and too "quirky" by half)film,and the performances make the difference.
While I cannot,truly gush over this movie as many have(among other reasons:the super-quick,quirky,too-cool-for-school dialog and the sometimes annoying music scoring by Indy band Moldy Peaches),I am still impressed enough by the pacing,humor and general intelligence of the story to recommend it. Not the best movie of '07 maybe,but you could do much worse with your money.