Love or hate.

Rating: 8/10 (3 April 2008)

Alright, I admit it. I am one of those people who usually prefers light, unrealistic stuff over reality when it comes to movies. Napoleon Dynamite was depressing for me. Though Juno mimics the reality, bleakness and failure of Napoleon Dynamite in many ways, it does it in a more humorous, encouraging way.
First of all, I was pretty surprised when people said that the character Juno was unrealistic and nobody they knew was like that. Personally, I loved Juno--she's like a cross between my two best friends, down-to-earth, offbeat, cynical, etcetera. While the hamburger phone and the orange tictacs weren't meant to be the focal point of the film, they added flavour. To the humour, I mean. And, you know it's true that everybody has their quirks.
I think people need to lighten up and take movies like this a bit less seriously. Especially the ultrasound scene--sure, I do know those shallow, selfish people who'd probably kill their babies without noticing, but I also know plenty of teens who'd be a perfectly competent parent, with a little support. And Juno? Pretentious? What?! In high school, there are classes. Those who are 'in', and those who are not. Juno is like my favourite group--in the middle. I believe it's called 'independant thinking'--consciously not conforming to fit in, but with the sensibility and social adeptness to not be completely out there. Surprisingly, here in the foreign (to most readers) land of Canada, there's more than a few of this type.
Juno's humour was written a bit off--she always says what everyone would really think of ten minutes after the opportunity had passed. At least a lot of the nifty little lines like her mom who sends her a cactus every Valentines Day weren't overlooked.
SO, I was definitely a lover, but mainly because I relate to Juno and her humour so well.