Jeremy and I saw the movie
Juno tonight, and it was fantastic. So good, in fact, that I had to write a list before writing this post so I could remember all of the movie's excellent attributes.
First, a plot summary:
Snarky teenager, Juno (Ellen Page), and her geeky, awkward best friend,
Bleeker (Michael
Cera), accidentally get pregnant. Juno decides to give the baby to yuppie couple Mark and Vanessa (Jason
Bateman and Jennifer Garner). It's a creative coming of age story, advancing the plot of a teenager who thinks she's mature, a man who knows he's not, and lots of little treats along the way.
Now, onto my list of many positives:
* First, of course, is the acting by Page and
Cera.
The pair is wonderful. Page flexes her acting muscles with this multidimensional character. Definitely expect to see more of her in the future.
Cera plays the perfect wimp with a soul. The goofy chemistry of their undefined roles plays perfectly. Page comes around from bossy know-it-all to mature and
vulnerable, while
Cera excellently depicts a character caught between boyhood and manhood.
* Another acting
highlight was the writing of the character Leah, played by a dynamic Olivia
Thirlby.
At first, you get the impression Leah will be a valley girl, irresponsible teenager. But her character surprises you with depth, as the cheerleader cool girl stands by her quirky, unpopular best friend all the way into the delivery room.
* The relationship between Juno's dad (J.K. Simmons) and
step mom (the always fabulous Allison
Janney) is a key element in the movie.
Though, like many elements of the movie, the importance of the dynamic of their relationship is only softly touched upon, the conversations between them and their support of and fun ribbing at Juno help develop the main character more than is obvious at first glance.
*
Bateman and Garner nail their characters perfectly, and writers did a great job evolving them and the audience's perception of them throughout the movie.
* The thing I like best about all of the actors is they make completely unbelievable characters seem believable. With the exceptions of Mark and Vanessa, none of these characters could really be found in your average American town. Yet, the acting done makes you want to believe these people exist so that you can root for them (or boo them, depending on the case).
* Above all else, the movie was fantastically written and directed. I loved the way much of the story develops off-screen. When Juno leaves a room, the audience leaves, too. Surprisingly, there are no holes as a result of this, and you actually get a better, more realistic feel for what is happening when you don't see the conversations that occur after the door closes.
* The language used in the movie is incredible, and it is one of the elements that define the characters. I called it "intellectual slang." In the same sentence, Juno uses the words "for
shizzal" and "cavalier" in the same breath. Very creative.
Also, the movie has some incredibly funny lines, including, "He is the cheese to my macaroni," and "I don't think the baby is going to march in here tomorrow demanding dessert-colored walls." The jokes are high-brow and add to the quirkiness of the characters.
* The director also paid great attention to detail, placing seemingly inane things in a scene that actually help the characters define themselves and the audience define the characters. Such was the case with the car bed in
Bleeker's room, the runners constantly entering and exiting the shot (particularly in the end, because there is a
noticeable absence from the pack), and the mini van set against the background of the ritzy, upper class neighborhood.
* The best feature of the movie, by far, was the music. The very odd, off-beat music playing throughout the movie is a character itself. It is quirky, fun, and very much representative of the mood of each scene. A highlight -- the closing song sung by Page and
Cera, "Anyone Else But You."
The thing that really makes this movie worth talking about long after you've left the theatre is the fact that you are not beaten over the head with the plot. The fun part is finding meaning in the subtleties that seem pointless while you're watching the movie, but all come together long after you've left your seat. Definitely bring someone with whom you can coverse on the way home.
I give this movie two big thumbs up! I recommend it to anyone and everyone. If you don't want to spend money at the theatre, you can come over and watch it with me and Jeremy when we buy it on DVD!
Don't they look excited to be there? I thought this picture said it all!
Happy to be putting the show to bed!
