“Juno” follows its titular character, a quirky high school student who becomes pregnant and intends to give her baby to a couple she finds in a newspaper advertisement. The movie touches on themes such as motherhood, friendship and adolescence while offering a different perspective on teen pregnancy.
Contrary to many cinematic portrayals of teen mothers, Juno’s (Ellen Page) charming personality and clever sense of humor allow her to find happiness in her situation. The film includes comedic elements without losing the serious reality of teen pregnancy.
The result is a refreshing and uplifting story. Lines such as “I’m in a fatsuit that I can’t take off,” and “I’m a legend. You know, they call me the cautionary whale,” exemplify the tone of the film.
The secondary characters — Juno’s boyfriend (Michael Cera), her best friend (Olivia Thirlby), the adopting couple (Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner) and her parents (J.K. Simmons and Allison Janney) — are all different and feel real. Every character has depth.
Funny yet meaningful, “Juno” is definitely worth watching.
— By Sicily Schroeder
Originally published in the April 28 edition of the Octagon.
