Juno (2007)

Directed by: Jason Reitman | 92 minutes | drama, comedy | Actors: Elliot Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Olivia Thirlby, JK Simmons, Allison Janney, Rainn Wilson, Lucas MacFadden, Candice Accola, Cameron Bright, Daniel Clark, Kaaren de Zilva, Steven Christopher Parker, Sierra Pitkin, Robyn Ross, Wendy Russell, Emily Tennant, Valerie Tian, ​​Ross Tweedale, Ashley Whillans

‘Juno’ by director Jason Reitman (‘Thank You for Smoking’) is one you won’t soon forget. Not only because of the somewhat uncontroversial story, but especially because of the – relatively – new talent Elliot Page and the general fit of laughter that the film causes. Diablo Cody, writer of the story – ‘Juno’ is also her debut – proves that she can become a major in the field of innovative scripts. ‘Juno’ is a refreshing film, unlike all other teen films, it knows how to make strong jokes and yet also convey a message. ‘Juno’ cannot really be pigeonholed, neither the girl nor the film at all. It is a bit too serious for a real teen film, too unserious for an adult film. That is also its strength: everyone can and will love ‘Juno’, precisely because the boundaries are so unclear.

Stubborn sixteen-year-old Juno (Elliot Page) is bored one afternoon – or so she claims – and decides to have sex for the first time with her dorky boyfriend Paulie Bleeker (Michael Cera). When it turns out that she is pregnant from that one time, she doesn’t really know what to do. In the end, she decides to keep the child. First looking for the perfect foster parents (Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman) with best friend Leah (Olivia Thirlby), and then she really has to inform her father (JK Simmons) and stepmother (Allison Janney)… Fortunately, they take it very well. and they support their daughter through thick and thin, literally and figuratively. But the faster her belly grows, the stronger the suspicion grows that the perfect godparents aren’t so perfect after all…

No one else is more suited to the role of Juno than Elliot Page. This young fiery actor plays a wonderfully dry Juno, who at first glance doesn’t care that he is pregnant. Yet he subtly hints that still waters run deep, and finally manages to bring it to an emotional climax, which is quite an achievement. Especially in view of the fact that ‘Juno’ is generally a tragicomedy, which makes the viewer laugh a lot – but also a lot. Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman – previously together in ‘The Kingdom’ – are the couple who want to adopt Juno’s unborn child. Bateman in particular is very strong in his game, especially when his character Mark starts to have doubts and sees that his freedom is slowly but surely becoming more and more restricted. Garner’s Vanessa is a bit hysterical and obsessive about the child, but knows how to arouse sympathy in the viewer. The sharp dialogues, the ubiquitous talented actors and actresses, the original script and the good direction make ‘Juno’ a true must-see that no one should miss and everyone should see.