MovieMantz Review: ‘Juno’

Wise Beyond Her Years

by Scott Mantz

“Juno”
Starring: Ellen Page, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman
Directed by: Jason Reitman

With the Writers Strike in full swing, it seems somehow appropriate that one of the best-written movies of the year would come along to remind the Hollywood establishment just how crucial writers are to the whole filmmaking process in the first place. After all, it starts with the script. And if it isn’t good, well, there goes the neighborhood. If William Shakespeare were alive today, he would probably agree with the words “the script’s the thing” emblazoned across his picket sign.

The script is very much the thing in “Juno,” a whip-smart, very funny and heartfelt dramatic comedy — or is it a comedic drama? — written by newcomer Diablo Cody. Bursting at the seams with razor-sharp dialogue, expert direction from Jason Reitman and a star-making performance from 20-year-old Ellen Page in the title role, “Juno” is a cinematic breath of fresh air that’s guaranteed to be a sleeper hit along the lines of “Little Miss Sunshine.”

After cutting her teeth with a juicy breakthrough role in the 2005 Sundance Film Festival entry “Hard Candy,” Ellen Page knocks it out of the park as Juno MacGuff, a free-spirited high school tomboy who’d rather be listening to Iggy and the Stooges than Hannah Montana. Her life changes in an instant when she gets knocked up by her best friend (Michael Cera), but rather than have an abortion, she decides to find the perfect set of parents for her unborn baby.

Enter Mark and Vanessa Loring (Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner), a modest suburban couple looking to adopt their first child. Vanessa was born to be a mom, but Mark is a little leery when it comes to being a dad. Regardless, they’re off and running, and as Juno moves closer to her due date — and closer to Mark, thanks to their shared love of vintage music — she is forced to grow up fast and deal with things that are (in her words) “way beyond her maturity level.”

It’s one thing to take notice of how well-written a movie is, but it’s another thing to notice it within the first 5 minutes — that’s how fast Diablo Cody’s screenplay finds its voice, and amazingly, it stays that strong for most of its 91-minute running time (truth be told, the last act feels a bit padded). But director Jason Reitman is also right on the money here, as he effectively follows up his directorial breakthrough — 2005’s “Thank You for Smoking,” which he also wrote the screenplay for — with this superior step forward.

And Ellen Page effortlessly carries the whole thing on her shoulders, exuding the confidence and grace of actors with decades of experience. Page headlines a terrific ensemble cast, which includes Jennifer Garner as the obsessive mother-to-be and — in a standout performance — Jason Bateman as the husband who might not be ready for the responsibility. J.K. Simmons and Allison Janney also make their mark as Juno’s father and stepmom, while Michael Cera (“Superbad”) is equally effective as her virile best friend with a penchant for Tic Tacs.

“Juno” was a big hit when it premiered at the 2007 Toronto Film Festival, and for good reason — it’s a precious gem of a movie that offers a refreshingly different take on unplanned pregnancy (not to knock “Knocked Up,” but this is the better movie). And don’t be surprised if it ends up being the toast of the Oscars next February, with nominations for Best Actress, Original Screenplay, Director and Best Picture. Here’s hoping that the Writers Strike will be over by then too.

VERDICT: SEE IT!