Simple Fun With Characters I Cared About

Rating: 8/10 (3 June 2008)

I won't call Juno "great" but I did enjoy it. It's a simple movie but there's no rule that says every indie film has to be complex. This movie had something that not every movie has... It had characters I CARED about and I wanted to know what would happen to them. That alone puts it a cut above at least half the trash that's released these days.
Along the way we get some funny (though low key) dialog. I didn't find the pop culture references bothersome as some reviewers here did. The fact is, if you listen to how people talk, our conversations ARE often infused with pop culture references. That's life.
And speaking of life, there are many reviewers here who seem angry at this movie for its supposed pro-life stance. This is nonsense. Yes, Juno decides not to have an abortion and gives her baby up for adoption instead. This has caused shouts of "neo con" from some people. Huh? Just because somebody chooses to have their baby, they are a neo con? I thought the essence of "pro choice" was that you get to CHOOSE. Are you "pro choice" or pro abortion?
If you are bothered by a story about a pregnant teenage girl giving her baby up for adoption, ask yourself why. Is it because you are disturbed by the idea of a pregnant teen? Join the club. Everyone is bothered by teenage pregnancy (to some degree) and this movie deals with that. Even Juno is bothered by it.
But if you're offended because she didn't choose abortion, you are reading too much into it. I don't think this movie was trying to make any sweeping political or social statements. It's not a movie ABOUT her choice between adoption and abortion. That's just 1 scene! And it's sad that a fictional character can't choose adoption without pissing people off. Just calm down and enjoy the freakin' movie.