Overrated

Rating: 7/10 (6 January 2008)

One of my biggest annoyances is when people try to be different or off-base simply to send a message to society that they are different. There is no need to flaunt the fact that you beat to a different drum, and many times it is only for attention, so other people can think "yeah, wow, they're really just different than everybody else... they're artsy, they're cool, they know exactly who they are." that's bull. (this is applying to the writers/producers or whatever and their music and perception of high school life and society)... anyway, I was quite annoyed with Juno's character. it is NOT GOOD when watching a movie and you find yourself knowing that it is scripted. don't get me wrong, much of the dialogue was very funny, and I love sarcasm and wit as much as the next guy, if not more, but NOT when it is not believable. Juno's lines were way over the top and for me, simply unrealistic, while almost every other character seemed to be "normal". now this has to be the writer(s) trying to portray their "independent" lives and flaunting their "differentness" to the world with Juno's ridiculous attitude, behavior, and clothing. I found myself very confused as to the identity of this movie and what they were trying to do. I see, a very serious subject matter (pregnancy, abortion, adoption) laced with humor and sarcasm to lighten the mood or to mask true feelings or even fear and uncertainty. I call shenanigans on many people who rave about how they can relate so much to these characters... i will admit that of course there are really people out there who may be just like Juno, but it is very unbelievable to hear so many people say they feel that way. This is a good movie, with a good concept, and Ellen Page did a great job as an actress, but Juno the character was, let's say, horrendous. Even if Juno's dialogue was toned down just a bit with a little less quirky one-liner, off-beat phrases and a little more seriousness (you're pregnant! and yes, I know some will say "oh but that's just her defense mechanism... well it was way overblown). I couldn't tell whether this movie wanted to be a comedy or a fable. I can definitely see a combination being worked out quite well, but I do not think that they succeeded in this instance.