Who would’ve thought that a movie about teen pregnancy would be a masterpiece in disguise? Juno, released in 2007 and directed by Jason Reitman, is a film with such brilliant charm that other films only wish they could match.
The film is about a girl named Juno (Ellen Page) who gets pregnant after having sex with her boyfriend. She feels she’s not ready to have a baby yet, so she decides to give the baby to a couple that seems to really want a child, Vanessa (Jennifer Garner), and Mark (Jason Bateman). However, everything may not be as clear-cut as Juno initially thinks it is.
One thing that is amazing about this movie is how they handle the issue of teen pregnancy. This movie takes a very interesting and grounded approach to this issue and how it affects the people involved. The way Juno , as well as her friends, parents, and her ‘sort of boyfriend’ Paulie (Michael Cera) react to the situation gives this movie a sort of authenticity that is really fascinating.
One of the best parts of this movie is of course, Juno herself. She’s a rough and tough kind of girl with a huge sarcastic wit, making it a huge joy to watch her in all of these different situations. That’s not to say that there aren’t moments where Juno loses that wit and things become a bit depressing because the movie certainly delves into dark territory. However, these moments don’t make her character feel inconsistent; they actually make her feel more human. She really brings this movie to life, and Page does a great job portraying such range throughout.
It’s simply impossible to not become captivated by the engrossing charm this movie gives off. It’s a must see and you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you skip this one.
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