Johnson Thomas 

Juno 

Direction: Jason Reitman
Cast: Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Allison Janney, J K Simmons, Olivia Thirlby
Rating: ***½

A shining, hybrid coming of age comedy, that’s Juno for you. Juno MacGuff (Ellen Page) is 16 and decides it’s time for her to try out the “sex thing”. She enlists best friend Paulie (Michael Cera)’s help and ends up pregnant.

The abortion clinic does not appeal as a probable solution and neither is Juno old enough to play mother, so with her best friend Leah (Olivia Thirby)’s help and the ‘Desperately seeking spawn’ column, she hones in on seemingly suitable adoptive parents.

Director Jason (Thank you for Smoking) Reitman’s engrossing narrative showcases stripper-turned-screenwriter Diablo Cody’s smart, witty, funny and immensely engaging script to rib-tickling advantage.

Cody’s screenplay is constructed with masterful precision, drawing you into the subtle emergence of hidden themes and feelings, letting anger, distress, guilt, and pain and longing surge through the layered dialogues with humourous precision.

Juno’s step-mom Bren (Allison Janny)’s response to the sonography technician’s attitude, her theory about Doctors and the pain-killer for childbirth, Juno’s growing feelings for Mark (Jason Bateman), Juno’s run-in with Vanessa (Jennifer Garner) at the mall, Juno’s talk with Paulie about love – these are some of the most beautifully constructed moments you can hope to see at the movies.

Eric Steelberg’s candy coloured cinematography helps keep the film grounded in youthful zest. Micheal Cera and Allison Janny, as Juno’s parents are supportive, while Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner as Mark and Vanessa relieve the burden somewhat.

But the entire length and depth of the narrative rests on 20 year old Ellen Page’s shoulders, who proves without doubt that she is capable of going the Julia Roberts way. She has an uncanny ability to get under the skin of the character, etching a sharp trajectory heavy on deeper feelings – below the wisecracking exterior. She is a class act by anyone’s standards!