Juno

Juno is fresh, original and hugely entertaining, which, given its well worn storyline of an unplanned pregnancy, is quite an achievement.

Juno MacGuff is pregnant by her classmate and not ready for motherhood. She is 16. She is also smart, confident and unusually level-headed. First she heads for the abortion clinic, but then has a change of heart and decides to have her baby adopted. Among the ads in the penny paper she finds a couple who appear to be eminently suitable would-be parents. So she enters into a contract - but all does not go according to plan …

Elliot Page is terrific as Juno, making his quirky character likable and real. It’s an unsentimental performance which lets us see the cracks in her confidence that begin to appear as that bump grows. There is strong support from Michael Cera as the inexperienced but caring classmate and Olivia Thirlby as the not quite so sharp best friend. And the versatile JK Simmons (Rendition) is particularly good as Juno’s understanding and supportive father.

The only character who voices any misgivings about this teenage pregnancy, an ultrasound technician who gives Juno her pre-natal scan, is roundly put in her place by stepmom Allison Janney. (Unfortunately to me she will always be C.J.Cregg.)

Aside from Ellen Page’s performance, what really makes this sparkle is the outstanding script from writer Diablo Cody. Witty and observant, her screenplay has already picked up a number of awards and thoroughly deserves its Oscar nomination.

If I have one reservation about this film, it’s the music, which I found rather too whimsical, at odds with the intelligent script and performances. And maybe the ending is a little too neat, but this is a fine comedy which doesn’t forsake the seriousness of the issues involved.