My Thumb Way Up: Juno

Starring: Ellen Page, Jennifer Garner
Co-Starring: Allison Janney, Jason Bateman, J.K. Simmons, Michael Cera

Juno, a 16-year-old high school girl, has to make some serious decisions when she's confronted with her unintended pregnancy. The subject is serious but it's handled respectfully and forthrightly. In fact, I'd say this movie is more of a comedy than drama although it certainly has elements of each.

What I Liked
• The acting. Jennifer Garner is absolutely fantastic. Allison Janney is great in her supporting role as the step-mother, and Jason Bateman was a pleasant surprise. Ellen Page and Michael Cera hold their own as Juno and her boyfriend.
• The normalcy of the characters. They looked and (mostly) acted like your family, friends, co-workers, etc.
• The setting. It is always refreshing when a movie takes place outside of Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, or Washington D.C./Quantico.
• Nice directorial touches like Juno picking a crocus and holding our attention on the screen.
• The scenes designed to be tear jerkers were heart-warming, not sappy. I didn't cry.
• One of the final scenes set to the song Sea Of Love.

What I Didn't Like
• An uneven script in the beginning. It probably could have used one final polishing re-write before production. Much of the early dialog was stilted and the jokes fell flat. Perhaps these were the first to be filmed and the actors didn't feel their characters yet?
• I found the family's reaction to Juno's pregnancy unbelievable.

As I left the movie house, I had a big smile on my face and I felt content. However, I wonder what the reaction to the movie would be by someone that has had to deal with the ramifications of an unexpected pregnancy. Someone who has had an abortion, given their baby up for adoption, or weighed these options seriously but decided to have and keep their baby would have a much different reaction than I did.

For me, this was a feel good movie despite the subject matter. This movie gets my thumb way up.

Sidenote: Juno is the Roman Queen of Heaven. (Source: Jeopardy!)
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