Juno

Juno (Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Allison Janney, J.K. Simmons) – This year’s hot indie flick (last year’s was Little Miss Sunshine), this quirky semi-serious drama features two talented teens as its heart.  But it’s the veteran actors (Bateman, Janney, and J.K. Simmons) that make this a wonderful, classic “little film.”  Juno (Ellen Page) is a curious, independent, candid 16-year-old who lures her best friend, Bleeker (Michael Cera of Superbad and Arrested Development) into having sex, resulting in her getting pregnant.  Upset but not afraid, there is never a question she would have the baby and sets about to find a couple (Garner, Bateman) desiring one.  Her father, played brilliantly by lifetime character actor J.K. Simmons, and stepmother (Allison Janney) are distinctly crude but loving and supportive.  These two actors steal every scene they are in, which only adds more charm to the film.  Either could be a supporting actor nominee.  Bleeker is remarkably responsible and truly loves his friend, but Juno hardly engages him in the decision or the subsequent developments until she realizes that she, too, loves him.  What appears to be a smoothly flowing story leading to a satisfying end turns, as it inevitably must, to problems as we find out more about the adopting couple.  Jason Bateman, who is a very hot second banana actor right now, is the layered character.  He’s a commercial jingle writer who wanted to be a rock star.  He has more in common with Juno than with his wife, which creates a certain amount of dynamic sexual tension.  And Garner, who is very, very disappointing in this role, only cares about becoming a mother.  She is fearful that Juno will back out, then almost wills things not to work out well.  The movie’s attraction as an Oscar contender derives from its unpredictable qualities and its memorable characters.  It will be hard not to like this film, but it might also be hard to see an Oscar nod in it.  That’s similar to the buzz about Sunshine, which was not a great movie but boasted great performances and a breezy plot.