Don't be fooled by the low-budget-like feel of this movie. Juno may not be as extravagant as other coming-of-age classics, but its story is packed with a lot of humor, drama, and passion. It also featured a lot of themes that have a significant impact on teenagers suffering from teenage pregnancy.
Plot Overview
The movie follows the story of a young high school teenager named Juno MacGuff. Her life changes when she finds out she is pregnant by her friend and admirer, Paulie Bleeker. She contemplates her choices and begins to think about abortion. However, when she visited the clinic, she backed out and realized she would continue her pregnancy. Juno decides to give the baby up for adoption instead. She and her friend Leah search for a childless married couple to provide for her baby's needs. Juno speaks about her pregnancy and her plans to her father. She and her father met a suitable couple, Mark and Vanessa Loring, and both agreed to the adoption.
Juno visits Mark often because they have the same taste in punk music and horror films. He also shows him his private studio and collection, which amazes her. She learns he gave up his promising musical dream and started composing commercial jingles. Meanwhile, Juno sees Vanessa as a motherly figure who is capable of providing care and love for her baby.
As Juno's pregnancy progresses, she struggles with her emotions with Paulie. She feels he does not care for her and the trials she experiences. She is devastated when Mark, whom she views as an extraordinary person, is not ready to be a father. She must decide whether to continue the adoption or raise the baby independently.
Review
This film has brought the talents of Elliot (credited as Ellen) Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, J.K. Simmons, and many more.
Juno feels like you are watching an independent flick that does not magnify its greatness with cinematography but with screenplay and story. Its excellent writing and adequately set up characters provide a beautiful chemistry.
This movie begins with a statement from the lead character telling the audience that everything she experienced started with a chair, and in the ending, she mentions the same. It's a perplexing finale that baffled me even today.
Juno is a simple movie that brings a lot of lessons about life, parenting, and responsibility. It's about the joys and struggles of a young teenager still figuring out how to move forward with her life.
A good 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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