Movie Review

"JUNO"

Presenting an indie smash-hit that has movie-goers giving it a fantastic review and cracking up with laughter, along the way. Juno is named after a Roman Goddess who had to deal with teenage pregnancy while attending high-school crosses boundaries into adoption and brings into perspective, the importance of family support. Jammed packed with great dialogue and quirky teenage angst, I took to the characters with extreme ease and loved every minute of it. Directed by Canadian Jason Reitman who made another indie hit "No Smoking Please" and written by Diablo Cody, a former stripper who incidentally won the 80th Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

Ellen Page stars as 16-year-old Juno MacGuff, an independent teenager confronting an unplanned pregnancy after an impromptu sex tryst on a chair with best friend, Paulie Bleeker (Michael Cera). After taking three pregnancy tests at a local convenience store, Juno finally concedes and accepts that she is nine weeks pregnant. She had opted for an abortion but a last-minute change of heart paved the way for adoption. With help from her best friend, Leah (Olivia Thirlby) Juno searched a local thrifty newspaper called the "Pennysaver" for an adoptive couple. The scene where Juno broke the news of her pregnancy to her father, Mac (J. K. Simmons) and step-mum (Alison Janney) was hilarious and surprisingly, took to the news rather well. Juno went on to meet the couple, Mark and Vanessa Loring (Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner) in their manicured expensive home and finalizes the 'close' adoption arrangements, quite literally on-the-spot.

Juno strikes up an instant friendship with Mark when she notices a Gibson guitar in his room and they started jamming. Soon, she finds herself going over the Mark's place more often, who shares similar tastes in music, film and pop culture. However, Mark slowly discovers that he is not ready to be a father and still longs to be in a rock band but has set aside his dreams for a conservative life with Vanessa. Although Mark works as a commercial composer, he feels like an outcast in his own home, not given room to exercise his dream. Cracks are showing in the beautiful portrait of the lovely couple shown in the classified ads. All this while, Juno wrestles with the new emotions she feels for her baby's father, Paulie who also has feelings for Juno but plays it cool. Juno maintains an outwardly indifferent attitude to Paulie but confronts him when she learns that Paulie had asked another girl to the prom, only to be reminded that it is at her request they remain distant and points out she was the one who suggested his prom date in the first place. Another scene worth mentioning is when Juno's step-mum berates the ultrasound technician to stick to "What she knows" after passing an insensitive remark on Juno's pregnancy at such a young age. It felt great to see how she defended her step-daughter from snide remarks and let those who judge a person without knowing them, a taste of their own medicine. Not long before her baby is due, Juno is once again visiting Mark who confesses that he is leaving Vanessa and moving out. Vanessa arrives home and an argument ensues between her and Mark about whether or not it is "bad timing" for them to proceed with the adoption. As she watches their marriage fall apart, Juno leaves and cries on the side of the road not before coming to a decision. Returning to the Lorings' home, she leaves a handwritten note for Vanessa. After a heartfelt discussion with her father, Juno came to the realization that she loved Paulie all this while and revealed her true feelings to him. Later at a track meet, Paulie notices Juno is not in the stands and rushes to the hospital to be with her. At the hospital, he comforts Juno by holding her tight in bed and they both agree not to see the baby. Vanessa arrives at the hospital alone and joyfully claims the newborn boy as a now-single adoptive mother. Juno's note to Vanessa is finally revealed, in place of a portrait of her and Mark, reads "Vanessa: If you're still in, I'm still in. - Juno." The film ends with Juno and Paulie playing guitar and singing to one another. Watch out for the group of runners, appearing in timely scenes of the movie.

A huge thumbs up for a cleverly crafted movie with plenty of heart and a catchy soundtrack to boot. Five stars out of Five for sure and worth watching a second time.