I just got back from seeing Juno. I’m really surprised at the number of people who’ve heard of this film only because where I am it’s at one theater only: The artsy theatre. In case you haven’t heard of it, here’s a trailer:
Observations:
I was as giddy as a school girl as soon as I saw Jason Bateman’s name show up on the screen. I have a massively huge crush on that man. (Anyone know his number? No? Ok, I’ll pine for him the old-fashioned way: Posters over my bed.) His character turned out to be in a bit of a mid-life crisis with a spouse who didn’t love him for who he was. Didn’t see that coming until the second time Juno visited, although it explains his extreme awkwardness the first time she visited.
Michael Cera was brilliantly understated. I crush on his comedy, and him in his gold running shorts. (har) His character was perfect. The orange Tic Tacs thing cracked me up.
Movies about teen pregnancy are never supposed to be funny, so it was a real pleasure that this one was. 
I completely went against my cousin’s wishes and did not bring paper and pencil to write down Ellen Page/Juno phrases. She said some great stuff but … I’m 33, she’s 16. What phrases am I really going to carry with me that weren’t “damn skippy” and “wizard”? (Although, really, I’m not from The Midwest, could I ever really carry off “damn skippy” anyway? Nope.)
I’ll own this film, it deserves my love and devotion. Go see it if you like comedies about awkward teen situations. There is a great gore scene in the middle while Jason Bateman and Ellen Page develop an inappropriate relationship on his couch. Sooooo good.
Film grade: A+
(Do I ever give films bad grades?)
In case you’re wondering, Juno was Hera, wife of Zeus. Greeks and Romans just named the same characters different things. Cuz, well, ya know, different languages and cultures. Kinda like Santa Claus having all those other names in other countries.
December 27th, 2007 at 4:00 pm
I’ve been reading Diablo Cody’s blog(s) forEVER. She’s a brilliant writer! I can’t wait to see this movie… I’ve been reading about her adventures with it for months on her blog. Um, she wrote the screenplay, by the way.
December 27th, 2007 at 5:49 pm
I do not say, “damn skippy”, and I’m from the Midwest..
um… well, I do say “yippie skippy!” so maybe I should just shut up now.
ha!
I want to see that movie SO bad!
December 27th, 2007 at 7:18 pm
I believe both Ellen Page & Michael Cera are Canadian. We rock.
Damn skippy.
December 28th, 2007 at 7:33 am
I’ve seen the trailer about a hundred times, and am looking forward to it.
December 28th, 2007 at 10:10 am
Would this be good for teenage girls to watch? (I have one 13yr old, and we have 2 cousins, 14 and 11 with us, and a long time friend, 13, staying with us until Sunday). Does this help them understand NOT to get pregnant?
December 28th, 2007 at 10:14 am
Fab Me, cool!
Raejane, I guess it depends where in the midwest. GO. SEE. IT!!!
Sour, now that’s just not right. Canadians cannot say “damn skippy” if Frenchies can’t.
Fab, when are you seeeeeeing it?
Wah, no. The movie does not have any moral of the story that teenage pregnancy is bad. It kinda makes it seem cool, actually.
December 28th, 2007 at 10:41 am
Yeah, I can do without these 4 teenage girls thinking teenage pregnancy is cool.
I’m looking more along the lines of a movie that will scare the bejeesus out of them about teenage pregnancy, kind of how Trainspotting is for drug use.
December 28th, 2007 at 11:16 am
Hello there. I like your blog. I’m glad you gave this movie a good review because it’s on my “to watch” list. I blogged about it a few weeks ago actually!
December 28th, 2007 at 4:53 pm
Wah, in the film there was a quick mention of McSweeneys and I thought of you.
How about making your kids watch Bully? That should scare the girls away from sex. (Please preview this film before doing that, thanks.)
Michelle Dawn, thanks. Definitely a great film.
December 30th, 2007 at 6:01 pm
Juno doesn’t make pregnancy seem cool. It makes it seem like something that happens to people. And it clearly is very difficult for Juno the whole time.
I’m glad you liked it.
December 30th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
Avi, have you ever seen a Lifetime movie, Hallmark movie, or after school special? I think that’s more what Wayne was hoping for in terms of showing the girls that pregnancy isn’t cool. Juno had a pretty easy time of the whole thing, and she just had the thought of “I’ll give this baby away as soon as it comes out.” Sure, at the end she felt a little something, but in general teen pregnancy is WAY harder than what was depicted in this movie.
December 31st, 2007 at 12:19 am
I saw this on Friday and LOVED it. Definitely one of my favorite films this year. And here it’s playing in damn-near every theater (not just arthouse ones), but Diablo Cody (who wrote it) is a Minneapolis girl, so that likely has something to do with it.
January 2nd, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Stef, I think that does in fact have something to do with it. Or, the fact that France sucks at having lots of movies that are good in its theaters.
January 10th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
I loved that movie too! I say Damn, Skippy when I’m at the grocery store and they don’t have any Jif. No, seriously, who the hell says Damn Skippy?
Who played the Dad? Where have I seen him before?
My favorite quotes (paraphrased) — About the boysenberry condoms, “…it makes his junk smell like pie.” — When Juno’s water broke, “…Thundercats are go!”
I’m also a huge Jason Bateman fan. He’s aging very well. Yummy!
January 10th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Char, I am told that people from the midwest say “damn skippy”. I don’t say it. JK Simmons plays her dad. He’s been in everything. Those were good quotes. And, yes, Jason is aging very well. Meow-yummy-meow-meow.