Juno

"This is even better than Suspiria." Juno can’t avoid being compared to Knocked Up and Napoleon Dynamite. Which is being a little unfair to all three movies. One of them is similar in topic and the other seemingly “geek" in atmosphere, but otherwise they have practically nothing in common. Unlike in Napoleon, everybody is normal here, although a little eccentric here and there, and they deal with everyday problems. Unlike Knocked Up, this movie plays on a more serious note. Which doesn’t in the least mean that Reitman Jr. doesn’t entertain us with superbly apt humor, despite the serious topic. And it does this even without the help of a thousand and one pop-culture references. Unlike Judd Apatow. Juno is a very comely and pleasant picture which is paradoxically held back most by its most boasted asset. Ellen Page. I’m not saying she doesn’t play excellently, but sometimes she overdoes it a little. And purely personally, I was also disappointed that Paulie’s storyline was sidelined. That character is so likeable that I would most like to see this movie made through his Tic-Tac eyes. (01/22/2008)

I don't think I've seen a better comedy about an (un)wanted pregnancy yet. Diablo Cody wrote a clever screenplay that simply had no flaws, and Ellen Page admirably portrayed the slightly eccentric protagonist, with it being worth noting that all involved supported her excellently. The overall positive atmosphere of the film was also contributed to by a fine soundtrack, which I would gladly listen to again. (85%) (07/28/2021)

Juno is actually such a sweet little kitten. She scratches and bites like a small predator and as such brings me great joy. I sympathize with her, root for her, and I can't understand how Paulie can be such a fool, just standing there and being afraid to thoroughly explore what happiness can bring him. But as soon as the kitten calms down, curling up into a small ball, everything settles down and everything goes downhill very quickly. And no matter how much Ellen Page tries otherwise, she doesn't have much to play in a serious, tearful situation. The nostalgia of adolescence and the bittersweetness are perfect. However, the purely serious position and surprisingly lukewarm ending take away the positive impressions. (06/01/2008)

A clear victory of form over content. Thanks to Jason Reitman's fine direction, a nice atmosphere and a perfect Ellen Page in the lead role, there's really no need to dwell on what Juno is actually about, but more importantly how well it is made. Besides, who can penetrate today the soul of an adolescent without turning it into vulgar and uninteresting schlock?... As a comedy it may not be very funny, as a drama it’s not very appealing, but as a mix of both it is a very remarkable and easygoing film whose name in the Oscar winners' column is not a disgrace. (06/21/2012)

A light-hearted analysis of adult concerns in a well-balanced comedy with a dominating performance by Ellen Page, though the overall cocktail of scenes, dialogue and other actors is also decent. Indie-emo alternative to all those "real" and big films with similar themes that are taken so seriously. It’s not a cult-classic, but it can be watched in one go. (06/15/2022)