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May 16, 2015DaisyCosh rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
The 2007 Academy Award winning film "Juno" follows the story of Juno MacGuff (Ellen Page), a sixteen-year-old girl who is in search of the perfect parents for her and her on-and-off boyfriend, Paulie Bleeker's (Michael Cera) unborn baby. With the help of her best friend, Leah (Olivia Thirlby), her supportive father (J.K. Simmons), and her tough-as-nails stepmom (Allison Janney), Juno finds the perfect parents in suburban thirty-somethings, Vanessa (Jennifer Garner) and Mark (Jason Bateman), who are trying to adopt their first child. Juno's quick wit and confidence may help her through the ups and downs of pregnancy. From raging hormones to changes between relationships, Juno faces more issues in nine months than some face in a lifetime. Diablo Cody's ear-to-the-ground slang used in her screenwriting gives "Juno" a more realistic dialogue that truly makes the film come to life. The strong and effective performances by all the cast help, too. Ellen Page is stunning with her delivery of each and every line she's given. She brings such raw emotion that no actress could tap into. Michael Cera channeled his sensitive side for his role, which definitely shows off his amazing acting ability. Olivia Thirlby's fun and adventurous as Juno's bestie, and J.K. Simmons and Allison Janney thrive in the roles of Mac and Bren, Juno's incredibly understanding parents. Jennifer Garner's performance is realistic and displays the anxiety of every first-time mom. Last but not least, Jason Bateman is on fire as Mark Loring, one of the characters that I believe goes through the greatest transformation as he becomes a father-to-be. Overall, I sincerely believe that the casting directors did a bang-up job, choosing actors and actresses that truly interpreted the characters they played. The film's offbeat score suits the style of the film entirely with songs like "Loose Lips," "So Nice So Smart," "Sea of Love," and "Tire Swing." In my opinion, "Juno"'s powerful writing, solid performances, and sturdy score make it one of the best, if not the best movie of 2007.