Just saw Juno

[JayFarrar]

Juno is described as this comedy.
It isn't.
Juno — for those of us a certain age, say Jason Bateman's age — will hit very close to home in more ways than one. And it isn't so much funny.
Childless women, say around Jennifer Garner's age, won't be laughing either.
The haters at the av club described Juno as being too smart, too well-written. I can see that, but to bust a film for being too well-done seems odd.
People compare Juno to Little Miss Sunshine and they use the same code words — a little slice of American life, a realistic portrayal. The problem with Little Miss is at one point Greg Kinnear is driving a van with his dead father in the back, who they just busted out of the hospital, as they try to make a beauty pageant. Juno also has a van scene. Ellen Page is going down the road, by herself, and pulls over to cry because she doesn't know what the **** she is going to do.
Which scene seems more realistic to you?
Best movie of the year?
Yes.
Just don't expect laugh from start to finish.
The music is good as well.

 

[Bubbler]

Regarding Little Miss Sunshine, the whole paegent scene was off-the-charts ridiculous too. That movie didn't come close to all of the glowing kudos it got when it was out.

 

[accguy]

Saw Juno on Christmas night. Thought it was very well done. Certainly worth going to see.

 

[bostonbred]

Cera has to have a few funny scenes, no?

 

[Duane Postum]

Regarding Little Miss Sunshine, the whole paegent scene was off-the-charts ridiculous too. That movie didn't come close to all of the glowing kudos it got when it was out.

Amen, brutha.

 

[Fenian_Bastard]

Funniest word in any movie this year?
"Shenanigans."
Trust me on this.

 

[outofplace]

Funniest word in any movie this year?
"Shenanigans."
Trust me on this.

Heh. Two funniest parts of the movie. Both are in the commercials/trailers. The line with Shenanigans and the part where she tells the dad who the father is.

 

[Editude]

Better than Sunshine, which was fine but more mean-spirited. The dialogue is a little self-aware in Juno, but the parents are made out to be real people and the sentimental ending really works.

 

[Fenian_Bastard]

I think "pork swords" is pretty funny, too.

 

[Simon_Cowbell]

Best emotion-evoking use of a note on a crinkled piece of paper since The West Wing closed shop.

 

[Cansportschick]

Ellen Page's role in this movie is remarkable and memorable. She deserves to win awards and even the Oscar for her portrayal in this movie.

http://www.thecoast.ca/Articles-i-2007-12-27-151401.113118_Ellen_Pages_leap_year.html

A story on Page's year.

 

[bostonbred]

Saw it late last night. Loved it...the script was absolutely solid and heartwarming (the finest mix of drama and comedy you'll find this year, although I don't understand why they seem to be selling this to the MTV crowd as a flat out comedy, it's more of a coming of age drama with bits of effective humor sprinkled in). They touched on a sensitive issue like abortion in an almost perfect way, the way a movie like Knocked Up should have. The last 20 minutes or so was just fantastic and should leave you walking out of the theater happy and optimistic.

The cast is talented and superb, including Ellen Page who took this movie over as the sarcastic, sharp-tongued pregnant title character and will likely rack up some awards. My only complaint was there should have been more Cera. He's comedic gold and certainly succeeds in Juno while playing a more serious role than accustomed to, but it seemed like they could have done a bit more with him. Simmons and Janney were terrific as Juno's parents and added some well-placed one liners throughout. Bateman was real good as well, his character and situation becomes quite interesting in the middle of the movie. But no Cera-Bateman scenes? C'mon now.

I definitely see the similarities between Juno and last year's Little Miss Sunshine. Both are quirky, feel-good little gems with with a relateable, albeit exaggerated, family dynamic and awesome casts. Also both have distinguishable and refreshingly unique soundtracks.

 

[TheSportsPredictor]

Just call me The Movie Predictor:

http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/posts/1448956/

 

[ArnoldBabar]

If one more person compares Juno with Little Miss Sunshine, I'm kicking them square in the wedding tackle.

See Jay's initial post in this thread. LMS is filled with preposterous situations -- there's not a character in there who could be someone you know. Juno is filled with situations you can relate to. They're both good films in their own ways, but just because they're both quirky, it doesn't mean they're similar.

I just like Juno a lot and want it to be judged on its own unique merits, rather than everyone just saying it's "This year's Little Miss Sunshine."

 

[imjustagirl2]

I thought Juno was a comedy.

Sorry, Jay.

 

[bostonbred]

If one more person compares Juno with Little Miss Sunshine, I'm kicking them square in the wedding tackle.

See Jay's initial post in this thread. LMS is filled with preposterous situations -- there's not a character in there who could be someone you know. Juno is filled with situations you can relate to. They're both good films in their own ways, but just because they're both quirky, it doesn't mean they're similar.

I just like Juno a lot and want it to be judged on its own unique merits, rather than everyone just saying it's "This year's Little Miss Sunshine."

Here are a few of the similarities (some completely obscure) off the top of my head at 4:40 AM.

First of all, they each have a very established cast with a slew of talented veteran actors for such small films. However, initially strong reviews from top critics, good word of mouth from movie-goers, combined with superb performances helped each become successful.
Shortly before LMS, Steve Carell had his big breakthrough, 40-Year Old Virgin. Shortly before Juno, Michael Cera had his big breakthrough in Superbad (both Apatow flicks that grossed tons of money). Abagail Breslin = Ellen Page, breakout stars in their respective movies. Both scripts are quirky with a memorable and feel-good ending that hooks people in and has them leaving the theater on a very positive note after turmoil towards the end of the movie. Both movies have some serious themes mixed it, obviously Juno with the pregnancy and abortion, while LMS with the drug use, death, homosexuality, suicide, etc. But both sprinkle in humor extremely effectively regarding those serious topics, which is partly a product of good writing and good acting. Characters have weird traits. ex. Dwayne in LMS with not talking and Juno's mother with dogs or Bleaker with orange tic tacs. Families are both messed up, obviously LMS in a more exaggerated and aggressive fashion, but there are definite signs in Juno of unstable families or scenes where family members clearly do not get along. Soundtracks in each movie are unforgettable, especially one song in each (The Moldy Peaches song in Juno and DeVotchka in LMS) The van could be equal to the chair, in some ways I guess.

As unrelatable as some of the scenes were in Little Miss Sunshine, it was the strong dialogue between the ****ed up family and their interactions that really carried the movie and touched alot of people more so than the silly scenes like at the hospital or in the van.

I think they are both great movies that shouldn't be linked but there are some things in common that is fun to point out.

 

[ArnoldBabar]

BB, you've described the formula for a lot of good movies. The characters have quirks. They deal with stressful topics among dysfunctional families. There are career performances. A feel-good ending emerges out of uncertainty. Come on, that could apply to a zillion films.

Yeah, Juno is getting the same kind of buzz from critics and will probably play the same Oscar role -- best picture and acting noms, doesn't actually win anything -- but watch the two films separately and they're just not the same. Give originality credit.

 

[Cosmo]

You can't complain about no Cera-Bateman scenes, because there was no believable way that they could get together. Juno took total responsibility from the beginning for the pregnancy, and like most teenage boys would, Paulie sort of faded to the background. Why would there be an occassion to get Paulie and Bateman together? Gotta put your Arrested Development love aside, man.

The scene I loved the most was the one at the end where Juno and Paulie got together and played guitar. Just so unassuming, and it really kind of hammered home the point that they were sort of dorky kindred spirits. I loved the fact that the scene wasn't rushed, that the viewer got to watch them interact for the entire song. I need to see this movie again. I enjoyed it that much.

 

[bostonbred]

You can't complain about no Cera-Bateman scenes, because there was no believable way that they could get together. Juno took total responsibility from the beginning for the pregnancy, and like most teenage boys would, Paulie sort of faded to the background. Why would there be an occassion to get Paulie and Bateman together? Gotta put your Arrested Development love aside, man.

The scene I loved the most was the one at the end where Juno and Paulie got together and played guitar. Just so unassuming, and it really kind of hammered home the point that they were sort of dorky kindred spirits. I loved the fact that the scene wasn't rushed, that the viewer got to watch them interact for the entire song. I need to see this movie again. I enjoyed it that much.

I know, I was one of the handful who watched Arrested Development religiously when it was on Fox...I heard these two were going to be in a movie together and I immediatly got excited. But still, I loved Bateman's role and Cera was fine too so I have no legit complaints.

I agree with the ending, it was borderline brilliant in simplicity. That song they sang ("Anyone Else But You" by the Moldy Peaches) really fit the movie like a glove. The two casually strumming guitars and singing back and forth was a great touch. I also liked when Paulie and Juno cuddled in the hospital bed together without saying a word.

 

[STLIrish]

Saw it last night. Very good movie. Loved Ellen Page, the guy who played her dad and, of course, Allison Janney. Not sure I'd say movie of the year in such a strong year, but should get nominated.
As for the Little Miss Sunshine comparisons, they're both great movies, but, yeah, different. Obviously there are similarities - quirky family dramadies (or comedras?) with a natural narrative flow (road trip/pregnancy) that end in outsiders finding redemption and love in each other.
But Juno was edgy where LMS was slapstick, it had a main character while LMS was more ensemble, and it didn't really revolve around family interaction so much as a young woman trying to find her way in the world. Also a simple ending that will probably stand up much better over time (the first time I saw the dance scene in LMS, I thought it was hilarious. But the second time it felt kind of stupid. Scene on the pier between the uncle and the kid, though, got better.)
But, Hollywood's got to put things in their boxes, and so Juno becomes this year's Little Miss Sunshine. Not fair to it, but such is life.