Bit more recent

My review of Juno from February 2008

RECENT years have seen a vast increase in the interest and commercial success of quirky independent feature films. From Zach Braff’s poignant critically acclaimed debut Garden State to the Oscar nominated and star-packed Little Miss Sunshine, it is definitely the time of the independent film.

Directed by Jason Reitman (Thank You For Smoking), Juno (12A) is 2008’s much hyped, Oscar nominated indie film. The film, however, is much more than just another collection of quirky characters as Reitman’s film from a script by Diablo Cody is sweet, intelligent and showcases some of the best talent Hollywood has to offer.

Cody’s Oscar nominated script follows sharp witted teenager Juno (Ellen Page) who discovers she is pregnant after a night with a school friend Bleeker (Michael Cera). Deciding to give the baby away for adoption to a seemingly wealthy and well adjusted couple, Juno just has 9 months to get through. Unfortunately, things don’t go quite to plan as she discovers she might have real feelings for Bleeker and the adoptees may not be quite as perfect as she believed.

Occasionally the character’s witticisms feel fake and forced but overall Cody’s script is full of humour and heart and it is this which attracted the film’s superb cast including J. K Simmons (Spiderman), Alison Janney (The West Wing), Jennifer Garner (Elektra) and the brilliant Arrested Development co-stars Jason Bateman (Smoking Aces) and Michael Cera (Superbad).

It is Ellen Page as Juno, however, who steals the show, a fact which has been recognised with a well-deserved Oscar nomination for Best Actress. Page’s performance is one which captures the false maturity and quirky coolness of the 16 year old (who lists 1977 as the best year for music) but also the youth and naivety of the character when everything starts to fall down around her.