Juno

[radhead]

I just saw this today. I was quite impressed with the acting of the lead actress (Ellen Page). It was pretty well-written overall, although Jason Bateman's character was a little too one-dimensional. But that's really the only criticism I have.

Except for the music, which I take major issue with. Very bland and half-hearted. One good song by Buddy Holly that you hear about half a minute of. It's a really obscure take-off on his own "Words of Love," but he was so great that even a throwaway song like that is better than most new music you might hear today.

By the way, I love both Sonic Youth and The Carpenters, but I can't stand the cover song that was featured briefly in the film. Really lame.

 

[HeyHomie]

Well, Mrs. Homie and I have seen it twice at the theater! That's saying a lot, because we're "wait for the DVD" people.

When I first heard the soundtrack, I thought it sucked worse than anything has ever sucked before. However, by the end I was singing along with the background singers. In defense of the soundtrack, let me state that it is decided anti-folk, which is a sort-of punk version of folk music that pokes fun at the earnestness and seriousness of a lot of folk music.

My only real complaint was with the way Jason Bateman treated Juno. I got a vague sense that he was in love with her, which I found really creepy and off-putting.

BTW, Juno is one of the five nominees for Best Picture. It's earned more money at the box office than the other four nominees combined.

 

[Writings]

I love Juno!

When I first saw it in theatres I was put-off by the soundtrack as well, and I was also a tad bit...underwhelmed. Based on all the hype surrounding it, I mean.

However, I bought the 2-disc DVD on the day-of-release and have watched the film several more times (and the special features a couple). I must say I think this film plays much better on the small screen than in theatres. It's now a favorite, and I have come to love the music!!

(I also love how the film has a subtle pro-life message; it's rather apparent, no matter what those involved with production say).

 

[icy_crusader]

I loved this movie as well. It was excellently made with great dialog true to the characters and an original concept. I liked the pro-life message as well, even if it was simply in the context of the enormity of the decision on a teenage girl.

One question, though, did anyone find the casual treatment of teenage pregnancy a little unsettling? I understand it's the nature of the film and maybe also the director being male, but Juno's pregnancy seems to be treated as a one-time bad thing like a bike accident you recover from.

 

[Writings]

One question, though, did anyone find the casual treatment of teenage pregnancy a little unsettling? I understand it's the nature of the film and maybe also the director being male, but Juno's pregnancy seems to be treated as a one-time bad thing like a bike accident you recover from.

I didn't necessarily find this aspect unsettling. More refreshing, actually. While teenage pregnancy might not be the best thing, I think the way the movie portrayed how the characters dealt with it was very positive. I especially loved Juno's father and stepmother; while they were definitely not happy about Juno's pregnancy, they did not scream at Juno or overreact. They handled it very maturely and made sure to help Juno through the entire nine-month process.

I also liked how Juno herself was treated as a real person. She had obviously made a mistake and that mistake resulted in an unwanted pregnancy, but that does not take away from her humanity, does it? Overall, the feel of this movie and the maturity of the characters involved just blew me away. I loved how it did not have to resort to "intense drama" to get endearing, true-to-life messages across.

(By the way, my best friend just got pregnant. She is eighteen years old and still in high school, and is a Christian. While no one in her life is necessarily happy about this situation, myself included, you would be surprised how no one is treating her pregnancy with dramatic intensity. My friend and everyone else is dealing with it quite maturely and casually which, I honestly believe, is the best way to handle these sort of things. On a funny side-note, I've also taken to calling this pregnant friend Juno, since her real name starts with a "J" anyway!).

 

[frenzy]

I think I was the only person on the planet who was unimpressed with the movie. The plot line bored me. There were funny moments, but that didn't make up for the plot.

 

[radhead]

I agree. There is something wrong with the world when a movie like this is considered one of the "greatest" films of the year.

 

[Writings]

There is something wrong with the world when a movie like this is considered one of the "greatest" films of the year.

I don't think there's anything wrong with a movie portraying real life. There is sin in the world, and we are ALL guilty of it. To watch a movie where everyone acts perfectly would be incredibly tedious.

Teenagers get pregnant; that's a sad fact. No, I'm not generalizing and saying all teenagers are sexually active (a phrase Juno hates haha). But it is a reality of life. Like in my last post, I think it's great how the film Juno dealt with these issues in a real and positive way. It didn't make teenagers want to go out and get pregnant; but it showed that life can go on, and that if anyone is in any sort of difficult position you can get out of it by using calm maturity and relying on the support of your family and friends.

That reason alone is why this is one of the "greatest" films of the year.

 

[BabyxLouxTattoo]

me and one of my best friends saw it the other night, we've been wanting to see it so badly since it came out and we both loved it.
i liked how it didnt have the typical "Hollywood" ending with Ellen Page and Michael Cera ending up together WITH the baby as one big happy family but had a more realistic ending.
I'm not really a huge fan of Ellen Page but i think she did a great job.

 

[California Dreamin']

And Ellen Page is from Nova Scotia... yay!

 

[Pogue]

I really liked it- I loved the slightly quirky humour and I thought the issues were handled pretty well.

 

[ews]

Saw Juno at the movie house the first time it was out and liked it. its now out on DVD.

 

[ChrisMcPhail]

A "comedy" about teenage pregnancy. What will they think of next? That comment on Jason Bateman's character was funny; it was so bad, it wasn't even two dimensional, it was "one dimensional"; that's harsh!

 

[Billnew]

Batemans character was pretty shallow, but not far fetched. Some men aren't ready for kids.
Juno showed him what he loved, and he fled from the responsability of parenthood.(even though she didn't mean too)

Juno was a good movie. I didn't have any expectations of it, because of the hype.
It was Nepolian Dynamite gets pregnant. I really liked Nepolian Dynamite(I don't know why)
Her character was more human then Napolian's.

I think it showed one girls choice of actions following a bad choice of actions. Showing the responsibility to look into the alternatives, and holding to her word in the end. She did consider abortion, but chose not to have it done.(your baby has finger nails...)

It shows the responsability is on the woman, no matter who pushes for
the encounter. The stress, the emotions, and the ultimate decision must be the womans. The man only need to help finance the results.(abortion,
medical bills, or child support)

 

[The Theory]

By the way, I love both Sonic Youth and The Carpenters, but I can't stand the cover song that was featured briefly in the film. Really lame.

I just loved the fact that they were mentioned at all.

I was the only person to laugh when Ellen Page commented that she hated the SY album she picked up because it was "just noise"... I about died.

 

[search4Christians]

This was a pretty good movie

 

[CallToArms]

GREAT movie! i laughed a lot

 

[ews]

A "comedy" about teenage pregnancy. What will they think of next?

Are you aware this was the movie some are saying started the girls club that made the pact to all get pregnant this year.

 

[HeyHomie]

Are you aware this was the movie some are saying started the girls club that made the pact to all get pregnant this year.

If so, the movie is not to blame. This movie most certainly does NOT glamorize teenage pregnancy in any way, shape, or form. In fact, it goes out of its way to make it clear that teen pregnancy is undesirable.

 

[Billnew]

Are you aware this was the movie some are saying started the girls club that made the pact to all get pregnant this year.

If so, the movie is not to blame. This movie most certainly does NOT glamorize teenage pregnancy in any way, shape, or form. In fact, it goes out of its way to make it clear that teen pregnancy is undesirable.

It shows the troubles that a teen can have being pregnant. It doesn't
promote premarital sex, doesn't glamorize teen motherhood. Shows the responsability of facing up to mistakes we make.