Better than Little Miss Sunshine...

Rating: 8/10 (14 January 2008)

Juno is the story of a free-spirited teenage girl who gets knocked up by her best friend on their first try at sex (it was her idea!). With the help of her best friend and supportive parents, she finds a "desperately seeking spawn" couple in the penny-saver ads and agrees to the adoption. But Juno's pregnancy is going to have an affect on everyone in ways she never thought of...
This film is much better than the film it most reminds me of: last year's Little Miss Sunshine. Much like that film, this one is a major Oscar contender for Best Picture, but even more so for it's star, Ellen Page.
And she is wonderful in the lead role of Juno. Miss Page plays Juno to perfection, creating a wise-cracking, sarcastic, and independent young woman and does an amazing job of never making her seem like a caricature. Her Best Actress nomination would be well-earned. The rest of the supporting cast is good, but Jennifer Garner especially sticks out in the role of Vanessa, a woman who wants to be a mother more than anything. I'm hoping Ms. Garner gets a Best Supportin actress nod as well.
The witty and original script by Diablo Cody sizzles. She is also guaranteed a Best Original Screenplay nod- she has the most buzz of anyone and is as much star of the film as Miss Page. Jason Reitman directs in a quick and lovely way, a good match in director for this film. It is a rather crude movie, especially at the beginning, but that is to be expected just from the premise.
Give Juno a look at your local cinema. The only caution I would give would be to not bring younger children to it. For more mature viewers, it will be well worth your money; a smart, well-acted, and very funny film. 8/10 stars!
Jay Addison