Juno Jolts Viewers to Both Laugh and Think

Juno (In theatres now) 4/5

Fox Searchlight Pictures is pitching its newest theater release, Juno, as being a “comedy about growing up...and the bumps along the way.” And while the “bumps” Juno addresses are becoming more and more familiar to modern America, its focus, teen pregnancy, will seem unfamiliar as a central plot to the average movie-goer.

It is this dilemma, the struggle between staying true to its comedic nature while honestly and credibly addressing the emerging issue of teen pregnancy that Juno is forced to skillfully weave itself between. And its success is unquestionable.

Juno MacGuff, an ironic, quick-tongued, high school junior, is played to perfection by Ellen Page. Juno is impregnated by her best friend and on-again-off-again boyfriend, Paulie Bleeker, played by Michael Cera. The question for Juno quickly becomes whether or not to keep her impending new born. Juno’s subsequent decision to offer the child for adoption is quickly answered by Vanessa and Mark Loring, played by Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman.

It is the contrast that these two couples as well as Mr. and Mrs. MacGuff played by J.K. Simmons and Allison Janney make amongst the three couples that this movie derives its greatest strength. The contrasts drawn from the spectrum of relationships stretching from the teenage couple, to the newly weds, all the way to the seasoned duo of Mr. and Mrs. MacGuff, carry with them many comedic moments and poignant scenes that are most populated by Janney’s portrayal of Mrs. MacGuff. Janney, most well known for her role as White House Press Secretary, C.J., on the hit NBC drama, The West Wing, brilliantly pulls off the role of step-mom turned pregnancy coach with alternating moments of sincerity and lightness.

Juno is an original, funny, and thoughtful comedy for the New Year. It is at the very least fully deserving of its three Golden Globe nominations—if not more.