Life > January 24, 2008

By Carolina Edgeton | Staff writer

Some films have the ability to make you laugh at subjects that are usually considered fairly serious or offensive. Clearly, using humor to remedy heavier topics makes living in this world a little easier.

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Jason Reitman’s Juno undoubtedly embodies the art of making the audience laugh (hysterically, I might add) while watching a teenage girl go through the notions of an unplanned and life altering pregnancy.

Not usually the knee slapper, right?

The film begins with the main character, Juno MacGuff (Ellen Page; X-Men: The Last Stand), drinking a gallon of Sunny Delight that she hopes will result in a miscarriage. The film’s quirky and modern humor is quickly introduced by the cashier at a local drugstore played by Rainn Wilson (the infamous Dwight Schrute from The Office).

Though only in the film briefly (slightly disappointing), his small part starts the film off in a laugh-out-loud scene between him and Juno while she’s taking a pregnancy test in the drugstore.

Yes, that is slightly awkward; but awkward, quirky humor runs throughout the film and definitely makes it amusing to watch.

In addition to Rainn Wilson, the film includes an all-star lineup. Michael Cera (Arrested Development and Superbad), Jennifer Garner (Alias and Daredevil), Jason Bateman (Arrested Development and Smokin’ Aces), Allison Janney (Hairspray) and J.K. Simmons (The Spiderman trilogy) all deliver solid performances in the film by making every character their own person.

The always relatable and adorable Cera plays Paulie Bleaker, the impregnator and best friend of Juno in the film.

Though they, at the time, are not “together,” the film also focuses on the rebuilding of their actual relationship which allows the audience to see a softer side of the consistently sarcastic Juno.

It, too, gives the movie an extra touch of depth that is relatable to all viewers (minus the pregnancy aspect).

Due to the unfortunate circumstance that Juno has found herself in, she begins to consider her options before actually having the baby.

In the end, she decides against abortion and instead chooses to go through the stresses and emotional turmoil of the pregnancy process for the sake of bringing joy to another couple’s life. We then are introduced to Vanessa and Mark Loring (Garner and Bateman).

The couple’s somewhat mismatched marriage adds an interesting twist to the film.

Vanessa being the cookie-cutter perfectionist and Mark being the husband that still wishes he could be a 90s grunge rocker makes their marriage a total contrast.

When Juno enters the picture, the audience sees that Juno and Mark begin to have a stronger connection than he does with his own wife.

At first, many will think it’s a little creepy. I’ll admit it because I certainly did.

After thinking about it briefly, all their connection really roots from is the fact that Mark has a bond with Juno that is missing in his marriage and Juno has a connection with Mark that is missing with a male figure.

Their overall connection is debatable, but no worries folks, this isn’t a film about advocating illegal relationships.

What I admire so much about this film is how down to earth it is. The humor, the dialogue, the characters and even the situations are all extremely realistic.

It’s focused on how we interact and form relationships with others while also making decisions that change our lives.

There’s no embellished, action packed sequence that’s obnoxious and non-relatable.

It is simply an enjoyable, fresh dramatic comedy about the “bumps” that occur in life. I highly recommend this one.