2007
Written by Diablo Cody
Directed by Jason Reitman
Starring Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, JK Simmons, Allison Janney, Olivia Thirlby

I just saw my favorite movie of this year.

Juno (Page) is a smart, offbeat 16 year-old who becomes pregnant by her friend Paulie Bleeker (Cera), who she likes as a friend but who has feelings for her. After almost terminating the pregnancy, she instead decides to carry the baby to term and give it up for adoption.

She finds an ad in the paper from affluent couple Mark and Vanessa (Bateman and Garner) and after meeting them, decides that she'd like them to raise her baby.

Juno is the story of Juno's entire pregnancy, from the moment she finds out she's two months pregnant (with a priceless cameo from Rainn Wilson) through the delivery of the baby. With support from her friend Leah (Thrilby), Paulie, and her parents (Simmons and Janney, two of my favorite character actors), Juno gets through her pregnancy, which is all she wants to do. She also develops a relationship with Mark, who isn't nearly as excited about adopting her baby as his wife is.

I loved everything about this movie. The cast was flawless (I've never been a big fan of Jennifer Garner but she was perfect for this role) and the soundtrack was amazing. There were so many cute little details, too - Juno's hamburger phone, the yuppie couple's decor, the fact that Juno's little sister is named "Liberty Bell."

I laughed out loud through most of it but also shed a few tears.

The movie is in limited release through the end of the year and then goes into wide release in January. It was just nominated for 3 Golden Globes (best musical or comedy, best actress in a musical or comedy, best screenplay) and although I'm going out on a limb here, I wouldn't be surprised if Ellen Page was nominated for an Oscar. I mean, every ceremony needs an underdog, right?

Go see it. You won't regret it.


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