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The Review - AT THE MOVIES with WILLIAM HALL
Published: 7 February 2008

Ellen Page as Juno and Michael Cera as Paulie get ready for parenthood

Juno this actor? She's all set to be a superstar

JUNO
Directed by JASON REITMAN
Certificate 12a

THERE has been a huge buzz on the block about this one, largely due to the biting impact of the script from the exotically named Diablo Cody, making her screenwriting debut and sure-fire claim to fame.
It raced to number one in the US, taking a massive $72 million in its first month.
But it’s the crackling intensity of the performances that strike home – particularly from young Canadian actress Ellen Page who stars as 16-year-old Juno, a precocious teenager we first meet downing a bottle of vodka-pop in preparation for her third pregnancy test, refusing to believe that the first two came out positive.
“This is one doodle that can’t be undid!” the caustic chemist informs her as number three indeed turns out positive.
The sharp-edged barbs fly thick and fast as we meet the baby’s father Paulie (Michael Cera), a lanky, awkward fellow pupil who is anything but ripe for parenthood and happy to go along with Juno’s efforts to find a decent family for their offspring.
Enter wealthy Mark (Jason Bateman) and Vanessa (Jennifer Garner) a yuppie couple desperate for a child – until Mark realises it may affect his work as a composer of mindless TV jingles.
How all this merry-go-round is resolved makes for a beguiling two hours, with a disarming performance from Ellen whose haunting dark eyes can turn from soulful to sexy in a split second. I can see how this baby went a bundle in the States, where presumably they were able to understand the dreadfully slurred dialogue better than I could. Why do they have to go on talking like this, running one word into another as if they’re up against clock? Can someone please explain? Hopefully our UK teens will make head or tail of it, and have a good time.
A final dramatic verbal exchange between Juno and Paulie roars up from nowhere like a force-ten gale to tie all the loose ends neatly together.
As for Ellen Page, remember the name. This girl is one to watch.

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