Juno: a role model for teens

Rating: 10/10 (1 January 2008)

Juno MacGuff is a fun loving and stable 16 yr old girl. It's very rare to see a teenager have a healthy relationship with her parents. And even rarer than that is a 16 yr old having a healthy relationship with her father and her step mom . Alison Janney as Juno's mother is kind and not judgmental of her step-daughter's lifestyle. Juno is extremely bright without the air of arrogance or an invisible halo around her pretty face. She is bold enough to discuss her teen pregnancy condition and explore potential solutions. When Juno learns of her pregnancy, I liked the way she converses with the father of the baby(Michael Cera from Arrested Development), her own father,her step mom and her best friend(Olivia Thirlby, United 93). Her interactions with Jason Bateman ( Arrested Development)were appropriately handled. Jennifer Garner/Afleck as Vanessa had a very pleasant and realistic approach to a woman wanting motherhood with a passion. Ellen Page as Juno is very convincing as a teenager with her head on her own shoulders and feet firm on the ground. Her intelligent response to Vanessa's abandonment by her own husband Mark is superb.
Juno stayed true to her character and continued to live a free spirited life. She did what she thought was right for her and let others get what they want. Diablo Cody as the writer and Ellen Page as Juno deserve nominations for the Oscars.