My mother rented this a few weeks back, so I was finally able to get a gander at one of the most behyped films this past Hollywood season! It is also from the same director who did "Thank You For Smoking" (Jason Reitman), one of my favorite films from last year, which, if you have not seen it, is more than worth a look.
Actually, in some ways, I would consider "Thank You For Smoking" to be the superior film, at least insofar as narrative is concerned. The problem with "Juno" lies not in that it pushes credibility with its premise--I mean, come on, Juno! Have you ever heard of CONDOMS?!--but that Ms. Cody is a bit of an uneven writer, in that she can't seem to decide if she's telling a strange coming-of-age story, a fresh look at teen pregnancy, or a tongue-in-cheek satire of "15 and Pregnant". Actually, it may be a clever mix of all of these, but there is still something about the film which doesn't quite gell...
Oh, it's a pleasant-enough film, and Diablo is at least more than partially responsible for this--there is that catchy dialogue, and some truly hilarious scenes, such as the one wherein Juno is confronted by a friend from school who happens to be the sole Pro-Life picketer, citing baby toenails--but mostly due to Reitman's clear guiding vision and the excellent interpreations of the actors.
Putting aside the delightful stars and their supporting parents, the main issue at hand (pour moi) is Bateman and Garner as the would-be adoptive parents. Their scenes are jarringly serious and often tender when compared with the rest of the film, but Bateman's character is lackluster and a bit of a waste; though Garner gives a movingly desperate performance, roller-coastering between a slight crazy-eye and tearful gratitude. There is a good emotional pay-off in the end, but it does leave one a bit frustrated mid-way.
Still, I think it all lies in a distinct inbalance: the beginning has all the most hilarious scenes and the ending the most emotionally fulfilling. Things don't "bog down" in the middle, so much as go all over the place and remain uncertain--much like pregnant Juno's one mood swing, to be honest. So, one has to congratulate Cody on so coyly milking her own flaws as a writing, making them surprisngly appropriate for her subject...
So, in the end, I guess, much like Reitman (with his characteristic animated opening sequences), Cody delights in zany ideas, hilarious scenes, tender family shenanigans, and a distinct lack of moralizing. That pretty much sums up both films.
So, if you haven't seen it already, it'd make a delightful rental, I think. Four stars (hm, I think I should put the rating at the *beginning*, dontchyatink?)
P.S. Oh, I always forget something to analyze! As to Juno's attitude towards her pregnancy: anyone with half a brain can see that her smart-assery is a defense-mechanism, and should also remember that there are lots of couples who have gone through giving up their baby, especially teenage ones. That said, yeah, it does kinda stretch credibility, but I blame that on Ms. Cody--while admitting that she does exploit said flaws in an interesting manner.
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