Snark Attack
Juno
Review by Ross Anthony

In sum, a very cute movie with a great soundtrack. Though, in my humble opinion, not the stellar award winner for which it's been receiving so much buzz.

Ellen Page plays the glib sixteen-year-old who launches the film by getting pregnant. It's just the set up for a quirky presentation that from a light-hearted perspective takes on the much heavier subject of teenage pregnancy.

If you're a Janeane Garofalo fan, you'll no doubt love this film. (Could it be that "Juno" is shorthand for "Janeane Junior?") It's a snark fest of teenage sarcasm. Which is cute, always mildly amusing, but inescapably, short on fulfillment. While serious emotions are undeniably underlying, they seldom surface (if at all) with any cinematic impact until the film's climax. It's a smashing scene -- I just would have loved more of that earlier on.

Michael Cera (as Bleaker) absolutely nails every scene he's in. His vulnerability and sincerity spill out all over the screen. This interaction with Juno sums my feeling about his character. Juno: "You are so cool without even trying." Bleaker: "Actually, I'm trying really hard."

That said, Ellen Page delivers the following line with the kind of emotional depth I so wanted this film more often to employ: "Maybe I don't know what kind of girl I am." (And the songs, some by Kimya Dawson, help in this regard as well.)

A pleasant film, I'm glad to see this topic broached on the big screen.

-- Book Contest --


  • CoachCarter. Copyright © 2007.
  • Starring Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jason Bateman, Jennifer Garner, Olivia Thirlby, J.K. Simmons, Allison Janney.
  • Directed by Jason Reitman.
  • Screenplay by Diablo Cody.
  • Produced by Lianne Halfon, John Malkovich, Russell Smith, Mason Novick at Fox Searchlight/Mandate/Mr. Mudd.

Grade..........................B+ (2.5/4)


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Copyright © 1998-2023 Ross Anthony, Author - Speaker - Solo World Circumnavigator In addition to reviewing films and interviewing celebs at HollywoodReportCard.com, traveling the world, composing great music, motivational speaking, Mr. Anthony also runs his own publishing company in the Los Angeles area. While traversing the circumference of the planet writing books and shooting documentaries, Mr. Anthony has taught, presented for, worked &/or played with locals in over 30 countries & 100 cities (Nairobi to Nagasaki). He's bungee-jumped from a bridge near Victoria Falls, wrestled with lions in Zimbabwe, crashed a Vespa off a high mountain road in Taiwan, and ridden a dirt bike across the States (Washington State to Washington DC). To get signed books ("Rodney Appleseed" to "Jinshirou") or schedule Ross to speak check out: www.RossAnthony.com or call 1-800-767-7186. Go into the world and inspire the people you meet with your love, kindness, and whatever it is you're really good at. Check out books by Ross Anthony. Rand() functions, Pho chicken soup, rollerblading, and frozen yogurt (w/ blueberries) also rock! (Btw, rand is short for random. It can also stand for "Really Awkward Nutty Dinosaurs" -- which is quite rand, isn't it?) Being alive is the miracle. Special thanks to Ken Kocanda, HAL, Jodie Keszek, Don Haderlein, Mom and Pops, my family, R. Foss, and many others by Ross Anthony. Galati-FE also deserves a shout out. And thanks to all of you for your interest and optimism. Enjoy great films, read stirring novels, grow.


Last Modified: Friday, 25-Jan-2008 15:41:01 PST