Logan Sork Film Reviews
Juno
What sets Juno apart from other comedies is just how deep its themes go. It really captures how life really is, how it can be difficult at some parts, while there are also some moments of genuine fun and light heartedness. It’s also not afraid to tackle some difficult subject matter in some less than traditional ways. Whether it’s dealing with abortion, failing marriages, family or just the all-around difficulty of life, Juno finds a way to make it appeal all without undercutting the seriousness of the issues.
The film is directed by Jason Reitman and written by Diablo Cody. It stars Ellen Page as the titular character who becomes pregnant after having sex with her friend Paulie Bleaker (Michael Cera). She initially wants to get an abortion but has a change of heart after visiting the clinic. After consulting with her parents, she decides to carry the baby and give it to a loving couple (Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman). As we follow Juno through her pregnancy, she begins to learn just how difficult and complex life can become.
Perhaps what the film does best is the way it captures the view of life from a young adolescent. When we start the film out Juno is just like any teenager is, very young, naïve, and all-around care free. As we follow her through pregnancy, she eventually sees just how complicated life really is, and realizes that she may not be ready to face the world as it is without help. As the child grows within her, she begins to realize that there is more to life than goofing off and being rude to people.
The pregnancy is not the only thing that leads to her change in character, but also the relationship she develops with the adoptive father. It is seen as something that is not normal in the modern world as it almost borders on being romantically intimate. What changes her is how this relationship changes her other relationships with her family and friends. Her family finds it weird and must explain to her that their relationship isn’t normal. Even the relationship between the two adoptive parents begins to change because of Juno’s interference. As these relationships change, so does Juno’s outlook on life, seeing just how much a relationship can complicate nearly all aspects of her life.
What really helps make this film a realistic outlook in life is the characters. They are not just a bunch of “normal” movie characters, they feel like genuine people. The casting helps this as the film is not casted with people who would normally fill a certain role. The jock boyfriend is played by Michael Cera, who doesn’t have a jock persona typically featured in films of this genre. This subversion helps to make his character seem more realistic and grounded Cody’s script really helps this, as the dialogue doesn’t really sound like move dialogue, but flows naturally and sounds as if people are talking, not characters. The performances also make the characters seem more lifelike. They have serious moments, then funny moments, much like people in the real world. Yes, the characters are strange and quirky, but it doesn’t come off as a quirk. It feels as though the characters are real people with genuine interests and strange behaviors that everyday people have.
Another aspect of the film that helps present the journey through life is the set pieces and environments that the characters are placed in. In the beginning of the film, Juno and Paulie’s rooms show a certain zaniness to their decoration. They are almost decorated as if they were children’s bedrooms for kids around the age of four. Juno’s room is almost a hodgepodge of random stuff, almost as if she sees the real world as bright colorful place of childlike wonder. As the film progresses, there are moments where the colors and sets that were once filled with vibrant wonder are now bleak and barren. These are at the moments in Juno’s journey that feel dark and expressing. Near the end of the film however, the colors are almost a mix of the two extremes, perfectly balanced. This use of color shows how life is not just colorful or dark but filled with moments of both. This also shows that Juno has gone through a significant change after emerging from the dark as someone who sees the world differently.
The film is not a comedy. It may have some comedic elements that help make it feel lighthearted and appealing, but to call it a comedy would limit it. The film is a journey through life with all feelings that one has when growing up, whether it be funny, sad or somewhere in between. The journey that Juno goes through in the film should appeal to all ages, young and old, in one way or another.
8/10