“I don’t really know what kind of girl I am” - Juno McGruff.

Saw this film a couple of weeks ago at a mini-festival, and had high expectations, after watching the trailer a million times. Well my expectations were surpassed, in a big way. Directed by Jason Reitman, he has been quoted as saying it was a film he “had to make”. And it was a film I HAD to see.

Basically the film is about Juno, played by future Oscar winner Ellen Page, who falls pregnant in unplanned way when she sealed the deal for the first time with Paulie Bleeker, played by Michael Cera. She confronts her father and step-mom (Allison Janney and J.K Simmons) who are unbelievably calm about the situation, with support of her best friend, the gorgeous and teacher crazy Leah (Olivia Thirlby). With the help of Leah, who gives Juno the idea of looking for “desperately seeking spawn” in the Penny-Saver, she finds a childless couple (Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner) who are more than willing to adopt.

The synopsis doesn’t even begin to explain how great this film truly is. Ellen Page is so brilliant, I would easily put her on the top of my Best Actress Contender list, ahead of all the more dramatic roles. This is one of the best female performances of 2007. She was brilliant in Hard Candy, a role which deserved way more attention than it got. Her convincing and humorous role in Juno cannot be ignored! The writing is quirky and unique (some say trying to hard and  in your face, whatever ) written by first-timer Diablo Cody, who used to a stripper/phone sex operator. This is the first screenplay she has written, and it is bound to get recognition from AMPAS.

Soundtrack wise, it is one of the best soundtracks in a long time, featuring indie-favourites ‘The Moldy Peaches’ and the bands lead singer ‘Kimya Dawson’s’ solo attempts, which all add to the freshness of the film, some say the songs are annoying, but I cannot get enough of them and Juno wouldn’t be Juno if different songs were used, after all Ellen Page chose most of them straight off her iPod, showing that her portrayl of the title character was an extension of herself. Will it get noticed for Best Picture? I hope so. The year’s best comedy, flat out brilliance in every way. Forget that, this year’s best film I have seen as of December 31 2007.

Directed by Jason Reitman, written by Diablo Cody, starring Ellen Page, Michael Cera, J.K Simmons, Allison Janney, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Olivia Thirlby and Rainn Wilson, running time: 92 minutes.

Tagline: “A comedy about growing up…and the bumps along the way”

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