Film Reviews

Juno

• Rating:
• Director: Jason Reitman
• Starring: Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jason Bateman
• Details: USA / 92mins (15A)

Juno (Page) is a 16-year-old high school student that has recently been impregnated with the offspring of her best friend Bleeker (Cera). Unsure of what to do, and knowing she is far too young to raise a child, she decides to allow a married couple (Bateman and Garner) who are unable to have their own children, to adopt her baby. Sounding far more topical that it actually is, Juno doesn't for one second try to preach to its viewer by warning of the dangers of unprotected sex, or patronise with a 'balanced' look at abortion. It's far too busy endearing itself to the audience, like no other American feature in recent memory. What we have here is a beautifully unassuming character piece with a big fat heart beating heavily at its core. Thank You For Smoking helmer Reitman has ironed out the few kinks in his directorial style, to craft Diablo Cody's perceptive, funny and wonderfully-written script into the film it desperately deserved. At times laugh-out-loud hilarious, and at others subtly poignant, it is always rooted in the sarcasm-ridden and pragmatic nature of its lead character, whose relatable actions are where this film was always going to live or die. Praise Buddha then, for the gifted and infinitely capable Page, who carries the film on her dainty shoulders with a stunning ease and confidence of an actress well beyond her modest years. Juno is a complex character, whose offbeat ponderings and wisecracks are an obvious defence mechanism; but she's also fiercely intelligent, and such a role demands an actress with an ability to convey the deep, understated complexities of the character. Page essentially knocks it out of the park and truly owns this role. Similar kudos go to literally everyone else in the supporting cast, with Cera building on an increasingly stellar reputation, and Jennifer Garner offering her strongest turn to date, as a vulnerable woman desperate to be a mother. It's very easy to see why this has been mentioned as a possible Oscar contender, and if there's any justice in the world Page will be planted firmly on that podium come March - where she should be joined by her director and screenwriter. Outstanding.

Review by Mike Sheridan