I finally got to see the film Juno, which I had missed during this year’s TIFF. Somehow, things happen for a reason because a friend of mine gave me a pass for a screening last week. I had read the NYT’s review about two weeks ago and it stated it was a well-written film with lots of quirky, smart-funny lines. The review overall stated that Juno was a movie to be seen this year… A few friends had seen the film also and highly recommended it. Now Magazine, however, rated it as “average” or NNN.
If you are used to watching movies, you are also used to mixed reviews. I have learned to read these with an open-mind and just watch the movie with no expectations. (Sometimes it’s not so easy, if you like certain directors or actors but you get my point…) This was the case with Juno. I went with a friend who had heard almost nothing about the movie, which was even better for me. I must say that I was just truly enjoyed this movie; it could also have been because of the company. Nonetheless, I found the script (by Diablo Cody) smart, hilarious and just delicious. Ellen Page as Juno does a really good job in portraying a pregnant teenager with a good sense of humour but with a lot of growing up to do. The cast works well together and a special mention goes out to Jennifer Garner, who plays the adoptive mother-to-be. Garner convincingly plays the thirtysomething woman who yearns to be a mother; I even found her too well preparedness as annoying… but that’s the point. Jason Bateman is the adoptive father-to-be who just is not ready to grow up and act like an adult. We see the disconnect between these two characters early on and can possibly guess the end result but it’s still a delight to watch.
I will not go into too much detail about the storyline because I think it is up to you to see the film and enjoy the quirky lines and the just as quirky soundtrack, which incorporates a lot of indie music. My friend and I both agreed that we want a copy of the soundtrack… So do not be so easily persuaded by mixed reviews… expect to be surprised 🙂
