JUNO, THE MOVIE

Since I have restricted myself to 'feel-good' movies, I have not found many new ones to attend. However, Juno has to be on my list as such.

The topic of teen-age pregnancy can be morally upsetting to those who have not caught up to the looser sexual mores of today. This movie, Juno, is beautifully timed and the dialogue moves quickly, making great graphic images. Ellen Page is a wonderful actress and makes the part really come alive. Her matter-of-fact view of her situation seems precocious for one so young until one sees she is just being a practical teen-ager, somewhat callous in her lack of maturity but not without a sense of working out what is best for all. Michael Cera, her teen-age accomplice for the theme, is also to be lauded for his acting. J.K. Simmons and Allison Janney add to their roles of parent and step-mother like frosting on a cake. Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman, as the couple interested in adoption, add social contrast, a great deal of alternate perspective regarding the situation, as well as turning in excellent performances.

In all, there are no weak players here and Diablo Cody has written a very strong dialogue that adds depth, humor, practicality, hopefulness, and all sorts of good things to what could otherwise have been a rather maudlin plot.

If you are not in need of an adrenalin boost, of being terrorized and forced to watch blood and gore, I recommend this movie as a delightful, short movie, after which you can leave the theater smiling, recalling some of the witty script, and feeling warmth for the characters portrayed.