When I was a teenager, I was living in an age of ‘rampant’ teenage pregnancy. It was all over the news that young people were going out and getting knocked up in numbers never seen before. The reality of it couldn’t have been farther from the truth as numbers were no higher than they had ever been, it was just that societal attitudes to young people had shifted, with them being expected to be in education longer, and start families later. There were also moral and ethical debates in the news about abortion, and whether it is ok that abortion is as easily accessible as it is in the UK. In the midst of all this, and similar things happening in the U.S., Fox Searchlight Pictures released Juno to critical acclaim, as well as criticism from the political right. I researched the film for an ethics paper I wrote at school and remember falling in love with the film, but it’s been a number of years since I watched it and I wanted to see whether my love for Juno carried through into adulthood.
Sixteen-year-old Juno MacGuff (Elliot Page) is pregnant following losing her virginity to her friend Pauline Bleeker (Michael Cera). After weighing up her options, Juno decides to have the baby but put it up for adoption, finding the ideal couple in Mark (Jason Bateman) and Vanessa Loring (Jennifer Garner). Tracking Juno’s pregnancy term, we see her form a friendship with Mark, and her relationship with Paulie becomes strained.
What I appreciate most about Juno is just how frank it is about the taboo topic of teenage pregnancy, and how it flips the typical narrative on its head. Juno isn’t abused or neglected or even raised in the kind of way that most pregnant teenagers on film typically are. She’s normal, she’s falling in love with a guy she likes, and they have healthy, consensual, good sex…she just gets pregnant.
It’s not a tale about adults trying to control her life, because all the adults in Juno’s life accept that she’s smart enough to know what she wants.
Sixteen-year-old Juno MacGuff (Elliot Page) is pregnant following losing her virginity to her friend Pauline Bleeker (Michael Cera). After weighing up her options, Juno decides to have the baby but put it up for adoption, finding the ideal couple in Mark (Jason Bateman) and Vanessa Loring (Jennifer Garner). Tracking Juno’s pregnancy term, we see her form a friendship with Mark, and her relationship with Paulie becomes strained.
What I appreciate most about Juno is just how frank it is about the taboo topic of teenage pregnancy, and how it flips the typical narrative on its head. Juno isn’t abused or neglected or even raised in the kind of way that most pregnant teenagers on film typically are. She’s normal, she’s falling in love with a guy she likes, and they have healthy, consensual, good sex…she just gets pregnant.
It’s not a tale about adults trying to control her life, because all the adults in Juno’s life accept that she’s smart enough to know what she wants.
The whole film is propelled by Page’s powerhouse performance. They’re absolutely hilarious here, and whilst I think they’re known for their more slightly more dramatic roles this to me is arguably their career best.
The supporting performances are also just as strong. Cera plays his typical awkward self which when contrasted against Page’s headstrong Juno makes a perfect contrast. Juno’s dad and stepmother are real highlights of the film. Played by J.K. Simmons and Allison Janney, these two really do steal the scene when they’re around.
I have to say I’m not overly keen on the way that Mark and Vanessa’s story pan out. From the off you’re given the impression that despite first impressions something seems wrong. Whilst I’m here for that kind of story, the way it happens feels strange and inorganic. I won’t go into detail if you haven’t seen it, but I feel like there were several better ways that this element of the story could have turned out.
The soundtrack is a highlight of the film too. From Barry Louis Polistar’s ‘All I want Is You’ in the opening credits all the way to Page and Cera performing their own rendition of ‘Anyone Else But You’ by The Moldy Peaches. There’s plenty of acoustic, almost folk style songs to carry the film through its ups and downs, and they’re always a delight to hear.
Honestly, Juno is worth watching for Page’s performance alone, but whilst that may be what draws you in you’ll stay because of the fantastic writing, great performances from the supporting cast, and some great exploration of complex moral issues surrounding teenage pregnancy. Juno is a really fun film with a really important message at its centre, if you’re yet to check it out then you should really change that.
The supporting performances are also just as strong. Cera plays his typical awkward self which when contrasted against Page’s headstrong Juno makes a perfect contrast. Juno’s dad and stepmother are real highlights of the film. Played by J.K. Simmons and Allison Janney, these two really do steal the scene when they’re around.
I have to say I’m not overly keen on the way that Mark and Vanessa’s story pan out. From the off you’re given the impression that despite first impressions something seems wrong. Whilst I’m here for that kind of story, the way it happens feels strange and inorganic. I won’t go into detail if you haven’t seen it, but I feel like there were several better ways that this element of the story could have turned out.
The soundtrack is a highlight of the film too. From Barry Louis Polistar’s ‘All I want Is You’ in the opening credits all the way to Page and Cera performing their own rendition of ‘Anyone Else But You’ by The Moldy Peaches. There’s plenty of acoustic, almost folk style songs to carry the film through its ups and downs, and they’re always a delight to hear.
Honestly, Juno is worth watching for Page’s performance alone, but whilst that may be what draws you in you’ll stay because of the fantastic writing, great performances from the supporting cast, and some great exploration of complex moral issues surrounding teenage pregnancy. Juno is a really fun film with a really important message at its centre, if you’re yet to check it out then you should really change that.