Juno: A Film

Production Information: Malkovich, J. (Producer). Reitman, J. (Director). Cody, D. (Writer). (2007). Juno. USA: 20th Century Fox.


Plot Summary: Juno is a hilarious film about a serious subject. Juno (played by Ellen Page) is a 16-year-old high school girl who accidentally gets pregnant after sex with her friend, Paulie Bleeker (played by Michael Cera). Juno decides to keep the baby and find adoptive parents. Juno is quirky and doesn't really care what people think about her. Juno's friend, Leah, helps her find adoptive parents through the Pennysaver. Juno and her father, Mac, (played by J.K. Simmons) meet a nice couple who are unable to have children, Mark (Jason Bateman) and Vanessa (Jennifer Garner), who live in a nice home.

Juno develops a "friendship" with Mark. They both like horror films and punk rock. Juno feels that Vanessa is a little uptight, but that Mark is cool. Later in the movie Mark tells Juno that he is leaving Vanessa because he is not ready to be a father and he has things to do. After the birth of her son Vanessa adopted the boy as a single adoptive mother. Juno realizes she is in love with Paulie (father of her child) but she doesn't tell him that she is in labor because he had an important track meet. When Paulie doesn't see Juno at the meet he races to the hospital and comforts Juno as she cries.


Critical Evaluation: Everything about this movie is superb. Ellen Page is hilarious as Juno with her sarcastic sense of humor. Michael Cera as Paulie is darling. The rest of the casting in the film is excellent. Not only is the casting great but the music is perfect. Director Jason Reitman asked Ellen Page what she listened to and what she felt Juno would listen to and he used her suggestions. Songs were performed by Kimya Dawson, Antsy Plants and The Moldly Peaches. The music is light folk rock with simple melodies.

Annotation: Juno is a 16-year-old high school student who accidentally gets pregnant by her good friend.

About the Director: Jason Reitman was born in Canada. He is a film director, actor, screenwriter and producer. Thank You for Smoking (2005) was Reitman's first feature film and it was a commercial success grossing over $39 million. Thank You for Smoking was nominated for two Golden Globe awards. Juno was Reitman's second film. Juno premiered in the Toronto Film Festival and it received Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Original Screenplay and Best Director. Juno has grossed more the $140 million. Reitman went on to form a production company: Hard C Productions. In 2009 Reitman directed the film Up in the Air starring George Clooney.

Retrieved April 6, 2010 at: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0718646/



Genre: Coming-of-age, Comedy, Drama

Curriculum Ties: Health

Talking Points: What happens to a sixteen-year-old girl who accidentally gets pregnant after having sex one time with her friend? Is Juno going to choose to have an abortion, keep the baby or put it up for adoption?

Rating & Interest Age: PG-13 Interest age: 13 and older

Challenge Issues: Language and sex.

Reason for Inclusion: Juno may shed the light on the fact that it only takes one incident of intercourse to get pregnant. Therefore, it may be appropriate when teaching sex education. Juno also addresses abortion and the realities of being pregnant.