Pop Culture Buzz

**** STARS

Last year “Little Miss Sunshine” wons the hearts of movie fans and critics alike with it’s tender story and hilarious script. This year’s “Sunshine” is the darling and smart as a whip film called “Juno”. The fresh script by newcomer Diablo Cody is a mature and insightful look into teenage pregnancy.

Without being too heavy handed or preachy, “Juno” is able to show the realistic outcome of a 16 year old girl who becomes pregnant and then she decides to give the baby up for adoption. The perfectly chosen cast and tight direction by Jason Reitman (Ivan Reitman’s son) make this gem the breakout success of 2007.

Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jason Bateman, Alison Janney, J.K. Simmons and Jennifer Garner give ferocious performances in “Juno” that will leave you cracking up and gasping in disbelief. The dialog in “Juno” is fresh and it comes off more down to earth and less literary then most highbrow comedies that come out these days.

From the get go we fall in love with the titular character Juno’s sassy sharp barbs and pop culture references. Ellen Page could easily get an Oscar nomination for the breezy yet stern performance. Michael Cera as the love interest and father of Juno’s baby is perfectly cast and gives the film even more “real to life” credibility.

Alison Janney’s character said it best when she was asked why Juno could have let something like this happen, her response: “kids get bored and have sex” sums it up. There are no religious undertones or after school special moments to over sentimentalize “Juno”, it is uncanny and refreshing how realistic “Juno” is.

“Juno” is sweet and to the point with a one and a half hour running time. It is a crisp and cute picture that will stay with you long after leaving the theater. “Juno” will slowly grow in popularity and it will surely get plenty of recognition around Oscar season. Ellen Page, screenwriter Diablo Cody and possibly Jennifer Garner could get some Oscar love.

If you are looking for that special film that will fill you with the warm fuzzies while being dry, witty and cynical then this is your movie. The dialog and acting will have you singing this movie’s praises to any movie fan that will indulge you. “Juno” is that little film that proves that a quality “talkie” movie can be more enjoyable then an over blown Hollywood spectacle any day.