JUNO
CAROLINE: I ran, did not walk, to the theater given the opportunity to catch the new movie, “Juno,” out today in limited release. It co-stars one of our favorites, Jennifer Garner, but more importantly it stars Ellen Page from that movie “Hard Candy,” and she’s getting Oscar buzz.
RYAN: She was phenomenal and beyond her years in “Hard Candy.” How is she in “Juno”?
CAROLINE: She’s very good. I had heard a lot of buzz on the Oscar worthiness of this film prior to seeing it. Screenwriter Diablo Cody is getting tons of press, mostly because she has a cool name and used to be a stripper. I really liked this movie, but I don’t think I loved it as much as the buzz would indicate I should have.
RYAN: Is it too long?
CAROLINE: Not at all.
RYAN: Is it entertaining?
CAROLINE: Definitely. A lot of people are saying it’s the female answer to movies like “Superbad,” just in terms of what teens are going through.
RYAN: Oh, so it’s funny?
CAROLINE: Totally, it’s hilarious. It’s kind of a dramedy though. It’s not as comedic as “Superbad,” so it has some really funny moments as well as more serious ones. I mean, LBH, it’s a movie about a pregnant unwed teen who decides to give her baby up for adoption, so the themes are much heavier. It also stars Michael Cera, who was so cute and dorky in “Superbad.”
RYAN: Jason Bateman, who you find so hot, plays Jenny Garner’s husband. How are they together?
CAROLINE: They’re great as the couple that wants to adopt Juno’s baby. J. Garner’s character is buttoned up and WASPy, which she does very well. J. Bateman is hot as usual. The movie deals with adoption and abortion and that kind of stuff, but it does so in a fresh, light way. The character of Juno is such an independent, spunky girl that you totally fall in love with her and the way she handles the situation.
RYAN: So what’s the bottom line? Is this one to run to during this Oscar season of great films, or should I wait to see if it gets nominated?
CAROLINE: I would recommend it whether it’s nominated or not. It’s being touted as this year’s “Little Miss Sunshine” and it will definitely get nominated for Best Screenplay and possibly Ellen Page will get a nom for Best Actress. It’s a small film, but I think people didn’t expect it to be as good as it is. The only thing that annoyed me about it is the music. It tries to be quirky and offbeat but really it’s just annoying. So I don’t think “Juno” is on par with amazing films like “No Country for Old Men” or “Atonement,” but it’s fun and cute and worth seeing for sure.
RYAN: I guess I’ll shell out the dough and see it then, since I was unable to attend the advanced screening with you.
CAROLINE: You’ll love it, if only for Jennifer Garner.