Jason Reitman’s new movie is in the theatre and is getting quite a bit of critical praiseat this point. Being hailed as this year’s Little Miss Sunshine is no small task to live up to. They really had the full court press on me to see this movie. You have Jason Reitman who’s directorial debut Thank You for Smoking i really enjoyed, comparisons to Little Miss Sunshine a great movie, & the icing on the cake uber-cool actress Ellen Page staring in the film. Not to mention sprinkling a soundtrack that includes Belle & Sebastian, Cat Power, and Moldy Peaches. Throw all of those aspects together and you have me salivating like Pavlov’s dogs to see this movie.

The movie is part Garden State (heart felt story) mixed with Napoleon Dynamite (dialogue) with a spice of Little Miss Sunshine (family aspects) for good measure. If you can imagine a movie that utilizes those strengths you are headed down Juno’s path.

The plot focuses on Juno’s exploration of her feelings as she finds out she has become pregnant at the tender age of 16 after a sexual experience with her best friend Bleaker (Michael Cera). At the root of the movie it explores the question of can we truly only love one individual or are we destined by nature to fall in and out of love through out our lives?

I personally really enjoyed the movie. The dialogue is very funny and the humor is dry.  What I liked most about Juno is the second half of the movie is quite touching and really pulls the audience in. The plot seems to follow a typical path until all of a sudden you are thrown a curve ball which makes the movie a bit more interesting. I won’t spoil it for those who want to see the movie, but this movie delivers a solid hour and forty minutes of fun mixed with serious emotions that come along with a teenager having to deal with a pregnancy.

I see this being a very good date movie. You have the lightness of the humor for the guys who don’t want to feel like they are being forced to see the Notebook mixed with a heart touched story about love and pregnancy that has moments that should touch home with any woman in the audience. Plus you have a great soundtrack in the background of the entire movie.

The downfall of the movie? The dialogue seems forced a little bit too much. It just seems too ultra cool perhaps going over the top at points.  If you can get past that though (i found it easy to) the movie delivers a great experience. I would give it a solid 7 out of 10. Maybe even a 7.5. If you liked Garden State do yourself a favor and go see Juno!

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