Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by tunenut (A) on December 15, 2007 at 16:30:45

This is set in Minnesota (actually filmed in Vancouver), but it really takes place in indie-land. This is the fictional world of the indie film where everyone is smart and quirky. Juno has a pipe in her mouth, not apparently smoking, but evincing quirkiness. Her smart aleck dialogue is sometimes a little too movie glib, but most often entertaining and indeed witty.

The story is warm and affecting. Sixteen year old Juno is pregnant and finds a rich yuppie couple to adopt her baby. There is not a false note in this fine cast. Juno herself combines her hipster cynicism with the real uncertainty of a young girl facing huge life decisions. Her father and stepmother are also supportive, but appropriately sarcastic. The baby's father, the nerd from Superbad, is still a nerd, but he's really good at that. The biggest surprise probably comes from the yuppie couple, who slowly reveal deeper parts of their personalities as the story progresses. In the holiday season of special effects and huge star releases, I hope this small movie finds its audience.