Juno
By Rocio, age 17, California
On December 5th, 2007, our lives were changed as we knew them. Director Jason Reitman and producers Joe Drake, Nathan Kahane and Daniel Dubiecki proudly released Juno into theaters, featuring with a cast starring Ellen Page (Juno MacGuff), Michael Cara (Bleeker), Olivia Thirlby (Leah), Jennifer Garner (Vanessa), Jason Bateman (Mark), Allison Janney (Bren, Juno's mom), and J.K. Simmons (Juno's dad).
The film presents audiences with the story of a 16 year old girl named Juno MacGuff (portrayed by Ellen Page), who becomes pregnant after experimenting with her best friend Bleeker. She then undergoes the pressure of telling her parents that she has become pregnant. She decides that the best decision is to give her baby up for adoption to a family who will nurture and give the baby the care it deserves. The film gives audiences a chance to step into the shoes of a teen experiencing pregnancy, and moreover, the relationship that she inadvertently builds with the baby in her womb. Overall the story is pretty relatable and "cutesy". Matt Pais from the Chicago Tribune says, "Oh, baby! A pregnancy comedy this likable is no accident."
Well, obviously there has been much controversy with this film. Some ask if the film is advocating the acceptance of pregnancy at a young age. Others manifest the film as the punch in the face our country needed. I personally don't feel that the film encourages teen pregnancy. Juno merely puts so many vulnerable girls out there in the shoes of a teen experiencing pregnancy at a young age.
So whom do we blame - society or ourselves? The answers lie in each individual's opinion. Controversy can exist about the racy topics the film touches, but for those out there who don't tolerate the film I have the audacity to say that the constitution guarantees you the freedom to worship, to protest, and to speak freely, but it also censors what is "inappropriate" for our society. Since the film wasn't censored, then there is a reason for it. Deep down there is a good message instilled within Juno. The message is so strongly conveyed not only because of the talent that Ellen Page brings to the film, but because the ingenuity of writer Diablo Cody has taught everyone who watches the film that conventional is not better than spontaneous. Five thumbs up to this satirical and unconventional film.
Rating: Five stars (out of 5)
