Juno - Jason Reitman (2007)

Coming on like a hip younger sibling of last year’s Knocked Up, Juno is a sweet and smart little gem of a movie.

When Ellen Page’s (last seen in 2005’s controversial Hard Candy) eponymous heroine becomes unexpectedly preggers following a night of teenage fumbling with gawky friend Paulie (Superbad’s Michael Cera) her life turns completely upside down. Put off the idea of abortion by lone student protests and punky clinic receptionists, Juno decides to go through with the birth but to put it up for adoption. Scanning through the local paper with best mate Leah (Olivia Thirlby) she finds what seems like the ideal couple for her unborn – smart yuppie types Vanessa and Mark (Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman). Taking her blue collar Dad with her, she visits the pair for an awkward interview process which, despite Mark’s subtle shows of reluctance, results in the agreement for adoption. As the weeks go by, everyone involved begins to feel the strain of the impeding birth and the pressure of growing up.

Juno benefits from some impressive performances all round; Cera has innocent naivety down to a tee and Alison Janney is wonderful as a step-mum who is actually like, normal (a rarity in the movies). Bateman and Garner offer solid support, subtly and sensitively portraying a fading marriage. It is however, Page’s movie. Fully deserving of her best actress Oscar nom, she delivers coolly acerbic lines with relish, recalling the sharp cynicism of a Christina Ricci or Ghost World’s Thora Birch. One to watch, clearly.

The film’s indie credentials are pushed up to the max with a charming soundtrack largely made up of songs from The Moldy Peaches’ Kimya Dawson whose laid back bitter-sweet melodies and eccentric lyrics perfectly match the tone of the film.

What could become over-bearingly twee (the closing scene could be a little bit too much for the more cold of heart) is saved by the astuteness of Diablo Cody’s knowing script. All the more impressive is the fact that it’s the 28 year old ex-strippers first movie. Combined with Jason Reitman’s (son of legendary Ghostbusters’ helmer Ivan) assured direction the pace and plotting of the film is top rate.

From start to finish Juno is a well observed and very funny comedy. Set to make huge stars of its principal performers, it balances laugh out loud moments with some genuinely touching scenes. Proof that romantic comedies don’t have to be dumb or nausea inducing, Juno comes strongly recommended.