Movie Review: Juno

Ellen Page sparkles as a teenage mum in <I>Juno</i>.

Rating: 4/5
Verdict: A wickedly funny and palatable look at teen pregnancy.

The subject of teenage pregnancy doesn't obviously have a comedic ring to it, but in the hands of director Jason Reitman, whose debut feature was Thank you For Smoking, Juno is outrageously funny, touching, and serious at the same time.

With a sharp screenplay by newcomer - and former strip-club worker - Diablo Cody, and a pitch-perfect performance by Ellen Page, Juno richly deserves its many award nominations.

This movie is about more than just teenage pregnancy. It's a character-driven film about growing up, and the point at which you take responsibility for your actions and yourself.

Juno (Page) is the name of our heroine, who we meet doing multiple pregnancy tests in the local drugstore toilet. Considering her options, Juno ultimately decides to inform her father and stepmother of her predicament, and that she plans to have the child, and adopt it out to a loving couple who are unable to conceive themselves.

Her parents - played brilliantly by J.K. Simmons (The Closer) and Allison Janney (The West Wing) - take the news as well as can be expected, and go about supporting their normally sensible and intelligent daughter.

Together, they meet Vanessa (Jennifer Garner) and Mark Loring (Jason Bateman), the seemingly happy, middle-class suburban couple who Juno has decided can adopt her baby.

Page gives Juno just the right amount of vulnerability and honesty, ensuring she's not just a cynical motormouth, but there isn't a single dud performance. However, the real star is Cody's script.

Cast: Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Allison Janney
Director: Jason Reitman
Running Time: 96 mins
Rating: M (offensive language)
Screening: SkyCity, Hoyts, Bridgeway, Berkeley, Lido and Rialto Cinemas

-TimeOut