Movie Review: Juno

Juno, starring Ellen Page, is a mix between Knocked Up, Love Actually, and Superbad. Ellen Page plays a mature and intelligent 16-year-old that gets "knocked up" by the always awkwardly funny Michael Cera, playing her on-again off-again boyfriend Paulie Bleeker. Juno and Paulie come from very different high school clicks. Paulie is a good student on the track team and Juno is seen as a non-conformist that makes bad decisions (at least according to her step-mother).

Juno is in every scene and you never get sick of her. Ellen Page does an amazing job delivering Diablo Cody's witty lines. She deals with teenage pregnancy but that is not the main issue of the movie. The movie is about (as corny as it sounds) love and finding true love. Diablo Cody's script and Ellen Page's acting each deserve a golden globe and oscar.

I went to see this movie because I am huge Micheal Cera fan. Cera plays a minor role (the same role he plays in every movie) as the awkward teen but of course you can't help falling in love with him. Paulie Bleeker is a virginal jock with a "thing" for the unconventional Juno. After their first time together (Juno's decision), he gets Juno pregnant. Juno takes over from there and decides to give the baby up for adoption to a family her and best friend Leah find in the penny saver. Juno's father and wacky dog-loving stepmother reluctantly support her through this decision. The adopting couple, played by Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman, come from the rich side of town. The first time Juno and her father meet with the couple is one of the funniest scenes in the movie. Juno builds a questionable friendship with the father, Mark. They bond over music and horror flicks while the mother Vanessa is out at work. It becomes clear that Vanessa desperately wants Juno's baby, while Mark's interest in Juno is questionable. Inevitably, a hard decision follows for Juno and at a point in the movie it is hard to believe that a happy ending is possible but don't worry. Juno matures over the movie as she faces tough decisions and provides the audience with a tear-jerker but very happy ending. At times during the movie you forget that Juno is only 16 years old. When she begins to admit her true feelings for Paulie Bleeker, the baby's father, she returns to an awkward teenager. Expect to be quoting the conversations between Juno and Paulie for years to come. Ellen Page might be the female version of the comic genius, Michael Cera.

If you like comedy- go see this movie. If you like romantic comedy- go see this movie. If you need a movie with indy flare- go see this movie. By all means, if you appreciate good acting- go see this movie!