FILM NAME: Juno (In Theatres)

FILM COMPANY: Fox Searchlight Pictures, Mandate Pictures, Mr. Mudd Productions

DIRECTOR: Jason Reitman

PRINCIPAL ACTORS: Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Allison Janney, J.K. Simmons, Olivia Thrilby

DATE OF RELEASE: December 5^th 2007

GENRE: Comedy, Drama and Teen

FILM LENGTH: 1 hr. 31 min.

RATING: PG-13

WEBSITE: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/juno/

5 Stars

REVIEWED BY: Emily Axelson

A near perfect film. I can’t think of one problem or downside of Juno. The writing was outstanding, the acting was superb, the direction was amazing, and the soundtrack suited the theme perfectly. This dry, wildly funny, and also sentimental comedy will have you roaring from laughter in your seats and then longing to watch it again the second it’s over.

Ellen Page plays Juno, an off-beat teenager who comes across some unfortunate news; she gets pregnant. She seeks support and advice from her best friend Leah (Olivia Thrilby). Unsure on what to do and confused, she decides to put her child up for adoption. Leah advises her to look in the penny saver paper for possible parents. Juno chooses a happy, married couple; Vanessa and Mark Loring (Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman). However, she still needs to tell her parents (Allison Janney and J.K Simmons), and of course, the father. Paulie Bleeker (Michael Cera). Her parents are surprisingly supportive, and Paulie is up for anything she thinks is right. She begins spending more time with the adoptive parents to keep them updated on the baby. Vanessa is ecstatic to be receiving a baby, but Mark doesn’t seem quite as enthusiastic. As Mark has second thoughts on becoming a father, Juno now has to deal with all the pressures of adolescence as well as a child, and now Marks concerns.

Every aspect of the film was strong. The actors were all fantastic, and not only the lead performances. Even the very small parts were hysterical; Rainn Wilson (The Office) was only in it for the first few minutes, but it opened the film wonderfully and was one of the funniest scenes in the movie.

When I first saw Hard Candy and Mouth To Mouth last year, I was incredibly impressed with young Ellen Page. Her choice of roles are amazing, and she has really proven herself to be an extremely strong and gifted actress. Juno just raised that bar even higher. She received a nomination for a Golden Globe for her performance in Juno, and I think she will grow up to be one of the great actresses of her generation.

I was never the biggest fan or Jennifer Garner, but I think this is her strongest performance yet. Her portrayal of a vulnerable and desperate wife longing for a child was a much more challenging role than any of her past ones and I thought she really pulled through the role with great depth.

As for Michael Cera (Arrested Development), I don’t think anyone could play the awkward, shy boy any better. Ellen Page and Cera worked great together, and in several moments, I felt that he even outshined her.

The script was just outstanding which had a quirky, dry feel to it, making this one of the best script of its genre since Ghost World. There were countless original, hilarious jokes, but with a sentimental undercurrent as well. Juno was also nominated for the Golden Globe best original screenplay. It is a very well deserved nomination and I think it really has a chance to win. Without a doubt, Juno is one of the best films of the year.