A great feel-good movie!

Rating: 10/10 (6 February 2008)

I love it! Not since Stranger Than Fiction have I thoroughly enjoyed a movie in this genre as much as Juno.
It's a deceptively simple plot line (teenager gets knocked up and puts it up for adoption), but never has teen pregnancy been portrayed in such a comedic yet sweet manner. Sure, the dialogue is too witty and clever to be mouthed off by practically the entire cast but that's part of the reason why Juno is such a nice surprise; it's self-effacing and doesn't take itself too seriously but bothers to leave a great message anyway.
Playing the titular character is Ellen Page, who is wonderful as an incredibly pretty tomboy who looks like she's straight out of a Judy Blume book. The rest of the cast are just as amazing: Michael Cera (Superbad, Arrested Development) plays Paulie Bleeker, the unassuming geek-next-door who knocks up Juno, Rainn Wilson (The Office) as the acerbic storekeeper Rollo, Jennifer Garner (Alias) as eager mum-to-be Vanessa Loring and Jason Bateman (Arrested Development) as her hubby stuck-in-the-90s Mark. Even the parent characters (Allison Janney as stepmom Bren and J.K. Simmons as Juno's dad Mac) who are normally stereotyped get their share of the good lines.
The direction of Jason Reitman (Thank You for Smoking) is wonderfully light and moody, matching the offbeat but lovable script by stripper-turned-screenwriter Diablo Cody. The soundtrack, set and costume design all helped fortify the overarching mood of this feel-good movie. I look forward to seeing more material from Reitman, Cody or Page!