Juno
April 26, 2008
I don’t know, maybe its just me. Being a parent of two teenagers myself, I take a different approach to teenage coming of age movies. Most of the teenage movies these days deal with boys trying to get laid for the first time or girls dealing that awkward first crush and other girls they don’t like while trying to fit in to high school. Juno is about a 16 year old girl who becomes pregnant and the way she deals with the minor problem. Juno seemed portray how cool you could still be if you became pregnant as long as you were hip and a little different. It wasn’t really my cup of tea, I thought Juno MacGuff wasn’t really worried about being pregnant and the consequences that come with it. she had it all under control. I hope young girls don’t think being pregnant is glamorous and cool after watching this movie because it certainly has that feel.
Juno Macguff (Ellen Page)a sixteen year old junior in high school gets pregnant by her best friend and sort of boyfriend Paulie Bleeker (Michael Cera). Once she deals with the situation for a moment she eventually breaks the news to her parents who seem to deal with just fine, saying “I wish she would have just gotten expelled from school or had a DUI. After a failed attempt at an abortion, she decides to have the baby and give it up for adoption. This is when it gets interesting she decides to give the baby a couple in the burbs who are almost polar opposites. The film is cute on certain levels and the teenagers will certainly like Juno’s quick wit and constant one liners. I dont feel warm and cozy inside after watching Juno. It made me wonder, is this what teenage movies have come to. It is very popular with teens as most well written teen movies are. I just hope teens realize it’s just a movie. Teen pregnancy isn’t cool.
Plot: The plot moves along pretty quickly but you get kind of tired of the witty one liners through out the entire film. The cast is filled with equally cool and funny supporting players. even Juno’s parents are kind of cool. The problem is Juno is too well adjusted. She’s far too dry and witty for her age. She has every cool phrase at the ready, too clever, too cool and far too mature for her age. she seems more adjusted than the adults in the film. you get the impression someone wrote the lines rather than a spontaneous teenager just saying them. it was just too unrealistic.
Acting: This is the one part of the movie I thought was good. Everyone seem to play their part perfect. Ellen Page was great. she delivered the lines with ease. She should have been a teenager in Quintin Tarantino film with those lines. Her parents were great and best friend Leah was great as the slightly dumb blond. I didn’t think her boyfriend Paulie was so good. He basically played the same character he played in SuperBad, kind of dumb, lifeless, nerdy, but lovable. That might be a role he is destined to play. (I hope he doesn’t grow up he might be out of work).
Final Word: The acting was good but the story wasn’t. It was movie about teenage pregnancy that didn’t really deal with teenage pregnancy. You never really ever believe she’s pregnant because she doesn’t really act pregnant. Everyone just shines right over the fact that this odd little girl is pregnant at 16. Like I said at the beginning. I hope young girls don’t think its cool, or it makes you cool when your pregnant at 16. Even with all the praise and awards this film received I don’t think it makes it on to my What-to-Watch list. It’s no “Sixteen Candles”
Try Blockbuster Total Access FREE for 2 weeks!
No Comments, Comment or Ping
Reply to “Juno”