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"JUNO" (PG-13)
Our critics agree:
Ellen Page makes the best out of witty dialogue in Juno
By Clayton Davis
When's the last time do you remember
laughing at a teacher putting a condom on a banana? Or a teenager peeing
on a home pregnancy test? Or quote "Thundercats, go!?" Diablo Cody
writes her intimate character portrait Juno, starring Ellen Page in the
title role as a young teenager who gets pregnant and decides to give it
up to a family unable to have children.
Thank You for Smoking's director Jason Reitman helms this ship of
laughter, tenderness and Hamburger phones. The narrative is absolutely
fantastic as it keeps the viewer engaged at all times but in essence,
it's the hypnotizing dialogue from the screenplay by Diablo Cody that
makes the film work so well.
Ellen Page turns in one of the year's best
performances as the young naïve and charming Juno MacGuff. She'll steal
your heart with her wonderful one liners and equally break it with her
character breakdowns and insecurities. Even though this has no measure
to her Oscar snubbed performance in Hard Candy, this does hold some time
of candle to it and is complete contention for an Oscar nomination. The
role however, doesn't possess that extra mile to steamroll any other
female performer this year. But its not only Page that makes the film
succeed.
Some of the supporting players turn some of their best performances of
their careers. Michael Cera popularly known as the innocent "Evan" from
Superbad, plays Paulie Bleeker, the "father-to-be-not" and gives a
charming comedic performance. His role however doesn't require much out
of him with the exception of tiny yellow shorts.
Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner play Mark and Vanessa, the couple
waiting for their chance at parenthood. This dynamic duo turn in the
best performances of their careers. With layer upon layer of emotions
these two actors possess, its amazing how they ever came to know them.
Bateman's charisma and immaturity to say the least, fits well with the
picture. His awkwardness is embodied quite well. Garner who tears at you
from the inside out is so effective as Vanessa, the hopeful mother-to-be
shows acting range which we have never seen from her before.
Heartbroken, worried, and disenchanted engulf Vanessa which makes Garner
sensational at her job.
J.K. Simmons and Allison Janney play the loveable parents of Juno. As
she tries to come to terms with her new pregnant lifestyle she spends
time with her stepmother Bren, (Janney) the sarcastic, hard-nosed woman
that is coming to terms with her new stepdaughter. Janney is loveable
and utterly hilarious but its Simmons who is the stronger of the two and
is more authentic in his character and traits. There is a good
breakthrough performance lying in Olivia Thirlby as the "teacher
obsessed" best friend of Juno. She turns in a beautiful humane
performance and encompasses the young teenager persona wonderfully.
What are Juno's Oscar chances? To quote Tom Houseman as he told me after
the film was over "That is not Little Miss Sunshine." Completely true
and well said, it is not Little Miss Sunshine but it is a great picture,
very reminiscent of past teenage icon films Fast Time at Ridgemont High
and Weird Science. Diablo Cody is a definite threat for the Original
Screenplay Oscar and Ellen Page is a strong contender for Best Actress.
(I feel it'll be between her and Amy Adams for a spot) Best Picture
isn't out of the question but it's rather small in a year full of big
films and bigger stars. The film is a gem but I think expectations were
too high and it fell a little short. But alas, I love Juno.
***1/2/**** By
Joey Magidson
Not just an out of context (but absolutely
hilarious) line from the new film “Juno”, the title of this piece also
is a ringing endorsement of the film. “Juno” is not only a laugh riot;
it’s also one of the sweetest, most rewarding, and best acted films of
the year. People have been calling it “this year’s Little Miss Sunshine”
but I would have to disagree. “Juno” is better than that film, and I’d
even go so far as to say that it has better award prospects as well.
The film is different than most people will expect it to be. Anyone
expecting something in the vein of “Knocked Up” is going to be
surprised. This film is also about growing up, but is more sentimental
and sly about its humor. There are almost as many laughs in this film,
but it does it more with chuckles than belly laughs. Even when the film
gets more serious, it still keeps its irreverent tone and wittiness. The
film is a real winner on all counts.
Juno MacGuff (Ellen Page) is absolutely phenomenal as the “fertile
myrtle” that the film revolves around. Page is able to handle the
hipster dialogue that scribe Diablo Cody has penned with astonishing
ease. This is not just the best performance of Page’s career; it’s the
best performance by an actress this year. Only a serious brain fart on
the part of the Academy will prevent Page from scoring her first
nomination.
Page is not alone in being praised here. Everyone here is at the top of
their games, with special mention going out to J.K. Simmons as Juno’s
witty and supportive dad, and Jennifer Garner as the woman who is set,
and perhaps a bit too eager, to be receiving Juno’s baby. The
interactions that Juno shares with her dad are priceless, and Garner’s
hopeful mommy is a triumph in the simple fact that she is able to avoid
turning this character into an unlikeable shrew. Jason Bateman and
Michael Cera are great as well as the prospective father and biological
father, respectively. Cera’s outfits are worth the price of admission
alone.
This film is just wonderful all around. It starts out sounding a bit too
cool for its own good, but it quickly draws you in and engulfs you in
its world of stylized dialogue and hamburger phones. It’s a distinctly
unique film, one that has something to say, and is well worth anyone’s
time. It’s incredibly clique to end a review in the way that the great
Roger Ebert does, but I feel that in this particular case it is apt.
This is one of the best films of the year.
****/**** |
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