****
A tale of a kooky 16 year old girl called Juno, living with her father and step-mum, who falls pregnant, is unable to go through with an abortion and decides to give the child up for adoption - I can hear the groans already. I know it sounds wearisome but out of this tired concept comes a really quite charming and insightful movie.
I couldn't help but think of the endless Judd Apatow films (Superbad, 40 Year Old Virgin etc. etc.), rolled off the production line in recent times, adept at showing mindless audiences young inadequates getting themselves into all sorts of 'hilariously' awkward social scrapes. There are similarities, but crucially Juno, whilst still presenting a similar goofy humour (check the scene where she narrates on a passing gaggle of adolescent male athletes in shorts), manages to convey something extra.
Witty rather than just plain dumb, intellectually active rather than simply 'knocked up', she's a pretty guttsy young lady. In fact, a number of her peers display a certain fortitude and integrity. Chief among them is the unexpecting father, Bleeker, who is more gentlemanly than you would ever expect, or Juno's best friend who is incredibly supportive, a valuable ally in the cut throat world of the high school corridor.
In contrast, the adults come across as somehow more childish, the husband of the adoptive couple deciding to leave his wife in order to live out his unfulfilled childhood fantasy of becoming a rock star. Even Juno, who unwittingly awakens this desire in him, is mortified by his irresponsibility, her vision of the perfect parents shattered by the revelation. Yet she is strong, posting a hastily scribbled note through the wife's letterbox, "If you're still in, I'm still in."
In the end, Juno realises her naivety in disregarding any feelings she might have for her baby, but despite the heartache, she stays true to her word. Loyal Bleeker is there to comfort her when she realises her true feelings towards her unborn child and towards him.
This might sound like a biased vision but, in fact, it's simply an accurate reflection of a difficult time for young adults. To champion the film as an insight into the true morals of young people is to be as patronising as any naysayer. However, there's probably a great deal more Juno's out there than people care to realise.
A tale of a kooky 16 year old girl called Juno, living with her father and step-mum, who falls pregnant, is unable to go through with an abortion and decides to give the child up for adoption - I can hear the groans already. I know it sounds wearisome but out of this tired concept comes a really quite charming and insightful movie.
I couldn't help but think of the endless Judd Apatow films (Superbad, 40 Year Old Virgin etc. etc.), rolled off the production line in recent times, adept at showing mindless audiences young inadequates getting themselves into all sorts of 'hilariously' awkward social scrapes. There are similarities, but crucially Juno, whilst still presenting a similar goofy humour (check the scene where she narrates on a passing gaggle of adolescent male athletes in shorts), manages to convey something extra.
Witty rather than just plain dumb, intellectually active rather than simply 'knocked up', she's a pretty guttsy young lady. In fact, a number of her peers display a certain fortitude and integrity. Chief among them is the unexpecting father, Bleeker, who is more gentlemanly than you would ever expect, or Juno's best friend who is incredibly supportive, a valuable ally in the cut throat world of the high school corridor.
In contrast, the adults come across as somehow more childish, the husband of the adoptive couple deciding to leave his wife in order to live out his unfulfilled childhood fantasy of becoming a rock star. Even Juno, who unwittingly awakens this desire in him, is mortified by his irresponsibility, her vision of the perfect parents shattered by the revelation. Yet she is strong, posting a hastily scribbled note through the wife's letterbox, "If you're still in, I'm still in."
In the end, Juno realises her naivety in disregarding any feelings she might have for her baby, but despite the heartache, she stays true to her word. Loyal Bleeker is there to comfort her when she realises her true feelings towards her unborn child and towards him.
This might sound like a biased vision but, in fact, it's simply an accurate reflection of a difficult time for young adults. To champion the film as an insight into the true morals of young people is to be as patronising as any naysayer. However, there's probably a great deal more Juno's out there than people care to realise.
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