A Good Idea, but Very Overwritten

Rating: 5/10 (26 May 2008)

I'm absolutely blown away by the fact that Diablo Cody got an Oscar for JUNO. It was so painfully overwritten! Who talks like that 24/7? A few witty quips, fine. But every sentence? Oy. I finally got into it in the last 15 minutes when the verbal gymnastics slowed down and we got to the heart of the film. I have no complaints whatsoever on the acting ... Page is charming, as are many others in JUNO ... and I don't doubt in any way that Cody is a promising writer. But Original Screenplay? It's a somewhat original idea for a screenplay, but the writing is too forced, too contrived to warrant the Oscar. I do freely admit, however, that I watched the movie long after the long build-up and abundance of good press, which is often the kiss of death. Coming into a movie cold is always the best way to watch it. I would still recommend the movie, but with reservations due to the writing.