Juno

This was originally posted April 13th, 2008.


  
I finally saw Juno last night
I was excited driving down to Maastricht, and hoped my expectations of the movies weren't too high. In the screening room there were three elderlies behind me talking about the impacts of teen pregnancies, and I hoped they were aware Juno's not a bleak movie - despite the topic.
The "Geez, Banana! Shut your freakin' gob!" reminded me of Billy Elliot (the "gob" part) and cracked me up, but from the moment the store clerk told Juno: "That ain't no Etch-A-Sketch. This is one doodle that can't be un-did, Homeskillet." I knew the movie was going to be an enjoyable ride.
And I was right.

I thought the dialogues were witty, refreshing and more real than anything I've seen in a long time - although I have to admit it also reminded me a bit of the Wayne's World movies. The fact that the audience wasn't bombarded with the f-word was also a plus in my opinion.
At first I didn't know what to think of Jennifer Garner's character Vanessa Loring, until I realized she's just beside herself she doesn't know what to do with herself. From then on I thought she was alright.
I enjoyed all the musical the references throughout the movie (Vanessa in an Alice in Chains t-shirt, and the infamous Patty Smith album "Horses" in Juno's room). And Alison Janney as Bren (Juno's stepmom) especially rocked in the scene with the ultrasound woman. Or as Juno put it: "Bren! You's a d*ck! I love it!"
Bleek the running track geek is such a sweetheart. You can't help but like him. That scene in the hallway at school? I felt for him.
It's interesting to see Ellen Page (Juno) in another interesting lead after Hard Candy. (I know she was "Kitty Pryde" (how queer is that name?) in X-men: The Last Stand.) And it's hard to believe that at her age - she recently had her 21st birthday - she's already been nominated for a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe and an Oscar (and then some). Well, not hard; she's very talented.
I's got my eye on this little chica from Halifax, NS.



Ellen, if you read this: I play the guitar, too, and I don't mind visiting you in LA. Call me.