Ultimately Explotive

Rating: 6/10 (29 January 2009)

Certainly its not taboo to make a comedy of a teen pregnancy. Rather, its how its done. This is a serious subject. The makers are allowed to believe that, because of the subject matter, there is a certain portion of the population that they'll NEVER be able to push a teen-pregnancy comedy past. However they appear to have ignored the portion of people (myself included)who can appreciate the human comedy of manners involved, if only a small nod is given to the reality of the circumstances. Instead JUNO goes straight to the folks (read, "young") who'd find all behavior acceptable and believe in the justification and likelihood of a happy ending for all.
The script is hilarious, especially Juno's dialog. Though her witticism, arrogance and intelligence are a bit too unbelievable, such serves as a good set-up for her comeuppance. Therein lies the problem - the ending. No messy consequences here! All characters are served, all is roses. Nothing to it. Back to teen idle. Happy motherhood. Guitar strumming romance.
I was a high school teacher who witnessed a rash of teen pregnancies. I've daughters 16 and 18 whose friends were "knocked up". More critically, as a lawyer I've been appointed to represent 100's of trouble juveniles, an overwhelming majority being of nontraditional family structure. A birth to teen parents can turn out well but MORE OFTEN THAN NOT results in economic and emotional hardships. I've done two private adoptions; i.e., one of the "happy" endings. The impact on the teen mother and her parent(s)was devastating. No devastation here.
Its a shame. Again the script was funny, e.g. To Juno:"Won't your parents be worry if you're home late?" Juno: What for? I'm already pregnant". Unfortunately, the outcome is exploitive.