Juno

PASSING THOUGHTS
It’s a rare occurrence when you actually enjoy hearing characters talk in a film. So many times dialogue is simply used to segue between action sequences or to reveal some crucial plot device. Few are the films that give conversation a chance to be entertaining, and fewer still are the films that actually succeed in making conversation entertaining. But thanks to the very distinct voice of the writer and the stellar performances of the actors, “Juno” is able to tell a fascinating story with only words and a natural progression of events.

When it comes to a movie about teen pregnancy, there are usually only two directions for the plot to go. Either it will be an obnoxious tale of low-brow humor and crass gimmicks that attempts to throw some kind of heart into the fray, or it will be an increasingly depressing and morbid exploration of the human condition with an emphasis on tragic consequences. “Juno” marches right between these two options. Many times I was worried that the bottom would fall out and the events would culminate in a suicide, accident, or some other depressing method of ending a life. I was waiting for the parents to turn into irrational adversaries full of animosity and hatred, or for Juno to accidentally kill the baby, or for Paulie to be a jerk and flake out. But thankfully none of those clichés came to fruition.

While the language got a bit coarse at times, it never went Tarantino. There wasn’t a time when it seemed like the writer went for a cheap laugh or made an attempt to induce shock. If something was funny or shocking, it was naturally that way. Juno and her friends use an inspired and advanced vocabulary that most 30-year-olds don’t have, but that adds to the appeal. It’s like a Calvin and Hobbes comic; there’s something appealing about having awareness, maturity, and complexity coming from someone far too young to be at that level. At times it can be a little distracting, but for the most part it makes the characters more vibrant and likeable.

The character of Juno reminds me a lot of a young Janeane Garofalo in terms of her mannerisms, delivery and thought processes. I’m not assigning any kind of value to that comparison, I’m just saying that there are some amazing similarities between Garofalo’s early stand-up work and Ellen Page’s portrayal. She has a very dry yet peculiarly emotive delivery in most scenes that bears a strong resemblance to the sarcasm associated with Garofalo’s work.

What really takes the story to the next level is probably Juno’s attitude through the whole ordeal. There’s no real self-pity, no depression, no long moments of introspection where she contemplates how wretched her life has become. In her own unique way, she keeps an honest and positive outlook as she moves forward. Her character is so crisply defined that she would almost seem two-dimensional, but her range of emotions and level of self-awareness makes her more complex, and therefore more interesting to watch.

BASICS

Your Cup O’ Tea:
If you like snappy, crisp, somewhat stylized dialogue, steady character development, and something of an edgy coming-of-age-type film.

Steer Clear:
If you’re looking for overt physical comedy, a traditional love story, or if you avoid anything that might elicit an emotional or mental response. There’s some language and subject matter that conservative audiences may have a difficult time enjoying. It’s a very borderline PG-13.

Nothing New Under the Sun:
The teenage lifestyle and subjects are vaguely reminiscent of “Clueless”, and the dialogue is like a teenage (and censored) version of that found in “Pulp Fiction”. Honestly not a lot of films like this one.

Buy or Rent:
BUY. This is the first movie I’ve seen that has prompted me to want to watch it again on the same day. It’s not complex, just fun to indulge in. If you’re not huge into dialogue and like more action (sexual and otherwise) this won’t pull you back, but the overall good-feeling and swell acting does have a draw. In addition, there are a good number of special features on the DVD that could make a purchase worthwhile. If you saw it and liked it, chances are you’ll want to keep it around.

FEATURES

-Inside Look: 2 minute sneak peak of Fox’s film “What Happens In Vegas”

-Scene Selection

-Language Selection

-Feature Commentary with Jason Reitman and Diablo Cody

-Screen Test:
Approx 22 minutes. This is a collection of seven scenes that were apparently done as screen tests for the film. No bloopers or outtakes, just the scenes acted in front of a black screen with minimal props. It’s fun to look at initially, but the tests are so well done that it’s almost like watching the scene in the movie. The only differences are that sometimes one of the secondary roles is played by a different actor.

-Cast and Crew Jam:
Approx 3 minutes. Wacky behavior by cast and crew in front of a sparkly background set to music. It can be fun to watch everyone having fun, but it might not hold your attention for long.

-Gag Reel:
Approx 5 minutes. A lot of “I’m sorry” moments, missed lines, etc.., The usual in terms of mistakes, but nothing really funny. Ellen has a good thirty second chunk trying to get a line out (obviously a little slap happy) which is amusing, but the rest are just so-so outtakes. Lots of ‘em though!

-Deleted Scenes (with optional commentary from Jason Reitman and Diablo Cody):
Approx 20 minutes. There are eleven deleted scenes total, and they range from minor alterations to all new material. Some of them fill in holes but most are extraneous. It’s more of the solid dialogue and performances though, so it’s worth taking a look at. Good scenes, but as always, there’s a reason why they ended up on the cutting room floor.

-Gag Take:
Approx 2 minutes. This is essentially a performance between Rainn Wilson and Jason Reitman as actor and director engage in a mock argument about hitting the mark for the bags. It’s amusing to watch the other folks on set trying not to laugh. For his part, Reitman was very believable as an irate director.

Woulda Been Nice: To include some less-produced footage for the bonus materials. The jam, the gags and even the screen tests looked rather polished. For a film like this, it’s nice to have the interviews and background. Also the music, which stands out, doesn’t get any attention. I don’t mind, but many films lately have dedicated a section to talking about the score. It was a little strange not to have that.