Director: Jason Reitman
Writer: Diablo Cody
Genre: Comedy Drama
Run Time: 1 Hour 36 minutes
Release Date: 25 December 2007
It is truly a rare spectacle to have a film mold together laugh-out-load comedy and an emotional, loving story that’s worth the purchase of a theater ticket. Juno is one of those rare treats that actually lives up to its hype.
Finding herself facing an unplanned pregnancy, an offbeat young woman--Juno MacGuff, played by Ellen Pagee—makes the decision to place the child in the arms of the perfect couple, as she puts it, which is unable to have one of their own.
Once the couple separates, Juno flees the scene, wondering to herself if any two people are able to stay together. But her father’s advice, “You have to find someone that loves you for exactly who you are,” brings Juno to the realization that she must reconcile with the one she loves. It’s a feel-good comedy that will have you smiling in satisfaction when you leave the theater.
Debut screenwriter Diablo Cody has honed her craft into a beautifully orchestrated screenplay that’s sparked a production well worthy of an Oscar nomination.
The ensemble cast is absolutely superb, especially Ellen Page and Michael Cera as Paul Bleeker. Their chemistry on screen is through the roof, and the film deserves a viewing based on their performances alone.
Ellen Page delivers her lines with such hilarity it’s impossible not to laugh, while Michael Cera’s performance is so pitch perfect that he’ll have you laughing without saying anything at all.
Supporting roles by J.K. Simmons, Allison Janney, Jason Batemen, and Jennifer Garner, also stand out as exceptional.
The film has complied one of the best ensemble casts of the year, and funny man director Jason Reitman adds the perfect touch of simplicity and originality in his direction of an already near-flawless script.
Juno has it all: laugh, emotion, a good story, and fleshed out characters. The writing and acting in the film are golden. Produced on a modest budget of 7.5 million, Juno has enjoyed extremely positive reviews from critics across the nation—being called the best film of the year by Roger Ebert. This Indie gem won over audiences at the Toronto International Film Festival and has gone on to gross an estimated 120 million worldwide.
Angeline Xie
