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Bookmark this pageJuno (2007)
Director: Jason Reitman
Movie review
From Time Out London
www.timeout.com
Don’t look to Jason Reitman’s multi-Oscar-nominated second film for a tell-it-how-it-is window on teenage pregnancy nor a two-finger salute to the anti-abortion right. Ignore, too, its ‘Ghost World’-styled ‘indie’ clothing. Rising star Ellen Page, dressed down and knocked-up, admittedly, gives a confident performance as the eponymous 16-year-old, put-down-queen heroine with the impressive ’70s-era taste (The Stooges, Dario Argento horror).
But, just as her supposedly ‘counter-cultural’ profile looks like an assembly from a studio’s cultural dressing department, so does her endless series of screwball-sharp quips, clever quotes and wise-before-her-years aphorisms often seem to emanate from another body entirely – presumably that of devilish scriptwriter and ex-Pussy Ranch blogster Diablo Cody. ‘Very beautiful and very mean, like Diana Ross,’ is how Juno describes the Roman god for whom she is named – how funny, high- school and 16 is that?
The most you can say about ‘Juno’ – given you can ignore the film’s air of contrivance, self-consciousness and cake-and-eat-it attitude to social and moral issues (most clearly seen in the abortion clinic scene, where Juno decides to keep ‘the thing’ because of the centre’s unpleasant smell) – is that it at least tries to inject some wit and engagement into the tired teen ‘coming-of-age’ comedy.
The direction, surprisingly for the supposedly ‘edgy’ material, is conventional, but the acting offers compensations. Allison Janney and JK Simmons (as stepmom and sympathetic dad) are engaging, despite their parts being rather obvious counter-caricatures; and Michael Cera is sweet and believable as geeky impregnator Paulie.
Author: Wally Hammond
Time Out London Issue 1955 Feb 6 to 13, 2008
User reviews of this film
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- Sutton said...
- Posted on Feb 27 2008 13:44 The film had it's good moments, notably the parents and the occasional line of dialogue. A few too many irritating American 'teen expressions' , but then that is the subject matter! Probably a film more from the ladies given laughter emaning from the ladies in the cinema I went to.
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- Laury said...
- Posted on Feb 26 2008 12:52 Amazing fun film full of spirit. Ellen Page kicks ass as pregnant teen juno mcguff, Good to see Arrested development co stars jason bateman and Michael Cera back on the screen! Brilliant film, Brilliant Soundtrack, just Brilliant
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- are you dizzy blad? no. said...
- Posted on Feb 25 2008 17:29 The low rating and bad comments really annoy me tbh. It was such a good film, i've seen it twice. I hate it when people say Juno was "pretentious" in the film. No, she was just intelligent, you're all too used to stupid chavs.
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- georgia said...
- Posted on Feb 25 2008 01:06 i absolutely loved it. went to see it with my sisters, and they both loved it as well. I hate this whole, 'the soundtrack is awful' thing, i think the soundtrack is excellent and really compliments the film, i've downloaded it allready and its really, very good! I'm also a bit annoyed that people dont think 16 year old girls can be funny and witty and sophisticated with their humour, you can have a uterus and be funny too! And if its more based on the age thing, then thats ridiculous, i for one am absolutely hilarious. lol, kidding, but seriously thats just silly, i know pleanty of girls my age who have a genuinely awesomme and sophisticated and matura sense of humour, so lay off! lol
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- Emily. said...
- Posted on Feb 24 2008 21:19 Now these comments make me not want to go and see it. What the hell. Im excited.
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- beth xxx said...
- Posted on Feb 22 2008 21:06 Me and mi m8t krisi r goin to se it 2 -moz but it looks really cool and most the reviews look good !!!!
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- Keely lvin Ryan 4 eva x said...
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Posted on Feb 22 2008 17:22
I'm loving ryan prithard 4 eva xxxx
thE FIL WAS EXXELENT DED FUNNI A LOVE IT LOV U XXXXXXX FK ME - Report as inappropriate
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- Keely lvin Ryan 4 eva x said...
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Posted on Feb 22 2008 17:19
It was brillant execllent xxx i loved it it was so exciting
sooooooooooooooooooo gooooooood bbbbbrrrrriiiiilllllaaaannnnntttt xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
im loving ryan prithard 4 eva i feel like snogging him - Report as inappropriate
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- Polly said...
- Posted on Feb 21 2008 07:32 Fantastic film. We went to see it with our two teenage daughters. We all laughed so much. Great one-liners. Very quirky. Great film. Just enjoy it!
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- louise said...
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Posted on Feb 20 2008 18:35
There were several good parts nd it could be put into the real world but it could be classed as inappropriate
i went wit some m8s and will buy it when it has been reduced a bit good film for a teenage girl to watch as she can learn that there can be problems with just having sex as you can regret
so it teaches girls to use protection as the boy that they have sex with may not want to have the luggage of being a parent
i should know as when i was a teenager i ogt myself pregnant and have regreted it ever since as i know i will never be able to give my lisa the life she deserves
but i do have a boyfriend who looks after her
but juno is very good for youths
boys aswell as they do not understand what it is like for a girl that has been put in that percition
pretty good but not exellent - Report as inappropriate
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- Alisha. said...
- Posted on Feb 20 2008 17:39 This film is great. but i guess it' depends on what type of stuff your into. but me and my boyfriend loved it. :)
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- amy said...
- Posted on Feb 20 2008 15:38 the shittist film ive ever seen in my life! thats all that needs 2 b said!
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- rachael d n joni said...
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Posted on Feb 20 2008 14:17
me n my hot
d8 went see this film
and it wasnt a film
id recomend
but i did enjoy parts
..x.x.x.x id recomend a diffo film<3
luv rach n joni - Report as inappropriate
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- Tina said...
- Posted on Feb 20 2008 13:08 My friend and i both thoroughly enjoyed this film, i would recommend it.
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- jhwallacejr said...
- Posted on Feb 18 2008 21:35 While the 16 y/o appears much, much too wise for her years, a very enjoyable film with good acting.
- Report as inappropriate
Cast & crew
Director: Jason Reitman
Cast: Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jason Bateman, Jennifer Garner, Allison Janney full cast
Duration: 92 mins
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