Mixed Bag

Rating: 6/10 (25 August 2015)

I had heard about this movie for many years and because I am studying the craft of screen writing, and because Diablo Cody won the Oscar for her script, I felt I should see this film.
This is not a summation of the plot but observations about things I felt worked and didn't work.
Pluses: Ellen Page and Michael Cera are total naturals. Although neither one of them have what I would say is immediately obvious star power, their was a current of reality under what they did that made them relatable and as such, their performances resonated.
Things that troubled me: Only when I saw the cut scenes on the extras did I finally understand why Juno was sitting in a chair on the front lawn. But even then, it still didn't make any sense. If the chair and other furniture (and how did any of it get on the lawn of the original owner...considering the woman was in a motorized chair?) was somehow supposed to be "symbolic" of the chair Juno and "Bleeker" (or "Paulie"? She used both and therefore his name remained unclear throughout) had sex in, then the symbolism was really wasted and if that wasn't the purpose, then it was just unnecessary.
Second: while the reaction of Juno's parents ( J.K. Simmons and Allison Janney, who both did a great job, despite what I felt were questionable decisions on behalf of Cody) to her pregnancy announcement were admirable (they quickly accepted it and made a decision to support whatever choice she was going to make), it then made absolutely no sense whatsoever that they would allow her, in her condition, to drive a huge car alone on freeway, or anywhere. Juno kept saying she was 16; was it really okay with them that while she was nearly 9 months pregnant she was driving all over the place by herself? This really bothered me. Allison as Brenda, Juno's stepmom (whom Juno seemed to have a lot of resentment towards) showed an intelligent grasp of the situation and was already planning to make sure Juno got her vitamins and visits to the doctor. This type of care and concern went out the window when neither parent seemed to be bothered that Juno, in her condition, was driving a car alone... especially a huge car that might even be a bit of a challenge for an adult to drive. Yes, Brenda mentioned that Juno shouldn't have driven out to "East Jesus Nowhere" to visit the prospective adoptive parents, but her concern was that she was visiting the prospective parents, not that she was driving. Didn't make any sense to me.
Third, the scene where Juno gets her ultrasound. The technician may have indeed been a bit judgmental, but frankly it was extremely understandable considering Juno's age and what I would call an "attitude." That said, the script asked Brenda to go off on the tech and verbally destroy her because the technician made a very slight judgmental comment. If this scene was supposed to point out how "cool" Juno's mom was because she could verbally "take someone down" for "dissing" her step-daughter, all it achieved was showing how ugly and cruel human beings can be to each other.
Fourth, Cody used my least-liked device: voiceovers. She started out using them indiscriminately and at some point they were completely forgotten about. They were totally 100% unnecessary. She had plenty of other good lines and her story (except for the stupid chair on the lawn) was clear. A VO explanation did nothing to "clarify" anything.
Fifth, Juno's stupid gal pal, played to a "T" by Olivia Thirby, remains a stupid young woman, even up to the point where Juno is giving birth. I felt like she was watching someone doing performance art as she kept this stupid goofy look on her face throughout. I know the story wasn't about her, and the actress did a great job, but I wish she would have had a moment of sisterly sympathy for Juno, which she never does.
Sixth, while Jason Bateman's character, the failed rock star turned TV commercial jingle composer, may have resented his yuppie life and his yuppie wife (Jennifer Garner, just about perfect), and while he may have found a kindred spirit in Juno, who for a moment, might have given him a chance to relive his failed youth, in what realm of the imagination would he have offered her an alcoholic drink? She was pregnant! With a child he was supposed to be a father to! It wasn't funny. It was disturbing. If that was the desired effect, it was indeed achieved.
Seventh, while other critics, including my beloved Roger Ebert, seemed to love the background music, I found it incredibly irritating. The songs were one step away from being dumb, one step away from being clever. There was too much of it, it was too "on- the-nose" and it was generally too loud. People really need to sit down with their sound editors and say,"Enhance, do not overwhelm!"
That said, Ellen Page has talent. She carried her false bravado with her for the entire film until she has a breakdown on the side of the freeway. I felt this moment deserved more attention, but it's possible that it was just the right amount. The jury is still out on it.
Despite the fact that there were things that just didn't sit right with me, the script had its moments, the actors had theirs and it generally held my interest. Jason Reitman, as director, definitely has a handle on dysfunctional family dramas that have bitter humorous moments. I am a big fan of his, and I can appreciate Cody's ear for teen dialogue and for other very, very snappy lines.
I would not watch it again, but I'm glad I saw it.