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Snark Attack
Juno
Review by Ross Anthony

In sum, a very cute movie with a great soundtrack. Though, in my humble opinion, not the stellar award winner for which it's been receiving so much buzz.

Ellen Page plays the glib sixteen-year-old who launches the film by getting pregnant. It's just the set up for a quirky presentation that from a light-hearted perspective takes on the much heavier subject of teenage pregnancy.

If you're a Janeane Garofalo fan, you'll no doubt love this film. (Could it be that "Juno" is shorthand for "Janeane Junior?") It's a snark fest of teenage sarcasm. Which is cute, always mildly amusing, but inescapably, short on fulfillment. While serious emotions are undeniably underlying, they seldom surface (if at all) with any cinematic impact until the film's climax. It's a smashing scene -- I just would have loved more of that earlier on.

Michael Cera (as Bleaker) absolutely nails every scene he's in. His vulnerability and sincerity spill out all over the screen. This interaction with Juno sums my feeling about his character. Juno: "You are so cool without even trying." Bleaker: "Actually, I'm trying really hard."

That said, Ellen Page delivers the following line with the kind of emotional depth I so wanted this film more often to employ: "Maybe I don't know what kind of girl I am." (And the songs, some by Kimya Dawson, help in this regard as well.)

A pleasant film, I'm glad to see this topic broached on the big screen.

-- Book Contest --


  • CoachCarter. Copyright © 2007.
  • Starring Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jason Bateman, Jennifer Garner, Olivia Thirlby, J.K. Simmons, Allison Janney.
  • Directed by Jason Reitman.
  • Screenplay by Diablo Cody.
  • Produced by Lianne Halfon, John Malkovich, Russell Smith, Mason Novick at Fox Searchlight/Mandate/Mr. Mudd.

Grade..........................B+ (2.5/4)


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Copyright © 1998-2008. In addition to reviewing films and interviewing celebs at HollywoodReportCard.com, traveling the world, composing great music, motivational speaking, Ross Anthony also runs his own publishing company in the Los Angeles area. While traversing the circumference of the planet writing books and shooting documentaries, Ross has taught, presented for, worked &/or played with locals in over thirty countries. He's bungee-jumped from a bridge near Victoria Falls, wrestled with lions in Zimbabwe, crashed a Vespa off a high mountain road in Taiwan, and ridden a dirt bike across the States (coast to coast). To get signed books by Ross or schedule him to speak check out: www.RossAnthony.com or call 1-800-767-7186.

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Last Modified: Friday, 25-Jan-2008 15:41:01 PST