Enjoyable, charming but everyone just too nice and sensible to be real

Rating: 7/10 (24 August 2008)

The bottom line is that I really enjoyed this film, despite the feeling of having been manipulated. A well made movie with mostly terrific cast and a story about real people facing a human crisis in their everyday lives of the type that many of us are familiar with, a 16 year old schoolgirl from a 'respectable' middle class background getting pregnant. The reaction and behaviour of the characters is sensible, humane and comforting. What a better world it would be if everyone were as wise, kind and practical as the characters. This really is the issue that gave me (and other reviewers) significant reservations  people are not for the most part like this in real life. Sure, some major problems do have a happy outcome but very often they do not and things rarely go as smoothly as they do in this story. Ellen Page has received major plaudits for her undoubted acting ability but I found her a little too wise and articulate for her age, her performance and spiky charm too polished to be authentic. The star for me was Michael Cera, his characters discomfort, awkwardness and lack of confidence was far more convincing and closer to people of that age that I know. I think probably best to regard this movie as a modern fantasy rather than a snapshot of reality. But the movie does have a warmth and charm and certainly provides an enjoyable evenings entertainment. One further plus for me incidentally was the soundtrack, brilliant quirky little tracks that provide a perfect accompaniment to the story. Overall, see it and enjoy being manipulated.