A movie with a beating heart

Rating: 8/10 (11 February 2008)

I think this is my favorite film of the year. Other films were better as an all together package but none have the heart that Juno has. Ellen page is Juno, a teenager that chooses to have sex but accidentally gets pregnant. Ellen owns the character perfectly, you wouldn't think that shes acting. Its like someone was filming her in normal everyday life. There's parts were she is so into her character that she surfs through her performance like when she reveals to her parents that she is pregnant, when she confronts bleaker about the prom, and when she breaks down. The screenplay i thought was very unique, i think in the wrong hands it could of been annoying and stupid but Ellen page nailed it.
Jason reitman is a talented young directer, he previously made "thank you for smoking". In this movie he uses tone very efficiently, creating a world that is very immersive and original. The pace of the movie is great too. Michael cera does a great job in playing Juno's boyfriend, there's a scene were Juno confronts him and he is so into the moment that he almost tears up. One of my favorite things about the movie was the soundtrack, the beginning with Barry Louis "all i want is you" and the ending with moldy peaches "anyone else but you" is just great.
OK the movie is not without its flaws. I think the story of the couple doesn't finish the way it should, the Jason bateman character just leaves and there is no closure to his character which i think wouldn't of mattered if he was a minor character but he plays a big role in the movie. I also thought that the relationship between bleaker and Juno was not shown as much as it should of. The best scenes, performance wise, were when the bleaker and Juno characters interacted, for example when Juno tells bleaker that she is pregnant. Its a shame that they dint show more of their relationship.
All in all this is a great movie with strong performances all around especially by Ellen page. This movie was made with passion and love by the director, actors, and screenwriter that makes you feel so good after you come out of the theater, its contagious. There are some minor flaws in the story but all in all its my favorite film of 2007 because of pure passion and love that went into this film.
8.6/10