The reason I went to see “Juno” was the combination of director Jason Reitman and super-hot screenwriter Diablo Cody. I was curious to see what these two up-and-coming talents would deliver to the screen, and I was not disappointed.
I can assure you, I’m not the demographic for “Juno,” and I can’t imagine anybody on my softball team going to see this movie. That being said, I do believe fathers who have teenagers should take the time to experience this production for themselves. The film will give deadbeat dads an idea of what teenagers really do with their free time.
“Juno” is low-budget filmmaking at its best. There are no gaudy special effects or gigantic stars to get in the way of the story. If you are a fan of acting and sharp dialogue, then you will appreciate this motion picture. It’s an artistic film that’s not too “arty” for us normal folk to enjoy.
Since the film was shot on the cheap, it does have a 1970s type of feel, and the eclectic soundtrack eases the transitions between scenes while also providing an important back-story for the supporting actor, Jason Bateman.
I believe “Juno” is a great date movie for a hip crowd that understands popular culture. I took my tough-as-nails friend Stacie. She didn’t cry when American Airlines recently lost her luggage, but Stacie did shed a tear during the emotional climax of “Juno.” You’ll have to see the movie yourself to determine how much you can handle before your eyes fill with water. As usual, no tears were shed on my end.
I know some critics have complained that the film is not realistic and that 16-year-old girls don’t talk like Juno’s character. I believe this was done on purpose and not a result of a generation gap between the screenwriter and the actress. Yes, some of the dialogue is “out there,” but that’s what makes Juno so different from her other classmates.
“Juno” is in limited release and, like buying the perfect present, you’re going to have to work a little harder to find a theater playing this movie, but it will be worth your time.
?MATT BELLNER is an actor and freelance painter from Burbank.
