Movie Tip #31 - Juno

Director: David Reitman

Starring: Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Allison Janney

Description: A tale told over four seasons, starting in autumn when Juno (Ellen Page), a 16-year-old high-school junior in Minnesota, discovers she's pregnant after one event in a chair with her best friend, Bleeker (Michael Cera). In the waiting room of an abortion clinic, the quirky and whip-sharp Juno decides to give birth and to place the child with an adoptive couple. She finds one in the PennySaver personals, contacts them, tells her dad and step-mother, and carries on with school. The chosen parents (Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner), upscale yuppies meet Juno, sign papers, and the year unfolds. Will Juno's plan work, can she improvise, and what about Bleeker?

Review: Everyone has gone to school with someone like Juno: that smart alec independent tomboy, cute, refreshing & fun to be around but not cool to date or be seen with. Ellen Page does a great job as Juno. I didn't know her before this movie and now I can't get around her any longer. The other actors kind of fade away, but I really liked Alisson Janney as Juno's stepmother. The story is pretty simple, but it's the simplicity that makes this movie work. A story doesn't have to be complicated to be good. I expected a lot from this film and it didn't disapoint me at all!