She Never Expected to be Expecting

Rating: 7/10 (24 June 2008)

First off, the film was very entertaining and held your interest throughout. Ellen Page was very engaging as Juno and her constant witty banter is what the movie was really all about. Forget everything else; the dialogue was smart and very funny. Not that for one minute I would think any 16 year old would be capable of flawless ,witty commentary and comebacks every time she opened her mouth. She really did seem like Gidget on crank. The yuppie couple played by Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner seemed tragically realistic. I've met many upwardly mobile couples who share their bland , self-centered personalities. Bateman was going through an internal dilemma halfway through a midlife crisis and not accepting the responsibilities of growing up. Garner's character seemed like the over educated, hyper serious type who is probably a real pain to be around after awhile. These two yuppies were doomed to self-destruct their marriage. The abortion clinic scene was real and ultimately uplifting. Juno's parents seemed supportive, yet distant. Her boyfriend was a total cypher; a drip's drip. Yet I could see how a gabby sixteen year old girl could fall madly in love with someone who just happens to be her "type". The ending was a disappointment because I feel Garner's character was icy and fragile; not good mom material - and single.