JUNO

Director: Jason Reitman

Stars: Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Allison Janney, J.K. Simmons

Year: 2007

Rating: PG-13

The little film that could, Juno is a smart, sweet, and ultimately touching teen comedy that - mercifully - has more heart and humor and intelligence than 99% of all other "teen" films out there ... thanks to a wonderful script by Oscar-winner Diablo Cody, and a winning, Oscar-worthy performance by the film's lead, Ellen Page.

Juno MacGuff (Page) is a sixteen-year-old girl who rocks out in a wannabe band with her best friend - and maybe-boyfriend - Paulie Bleeker (Michael Cera, in another winningly affecting performance). She's an average girl with an average life; an average teen still trying to figure out what life's all about and where she fits in with it.

When she and Bleeker finally get around to doing the deed, however, that life goes a bit awry when Juno soon learns she's pregnant. The solution is a no-brainer - an abortion - but when she gets to the clinic Juno realizes she can't go through with it, and instead makes the bold decision - on her own, without any help or advice (which is how Juno does everything) - to instead have her baby, and then adopt it out to a couple who will love it and care for it in a way a sixteen-year-old girl cannot.

Juno does, in fact, line up the couple - Vanessa and Mark Loring (Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman) - through an ad in the local penny-saver newspaper (swear to God) before she even breaks the news to her dad and step-mom (J.K. Simmons, Allison Janney). Mac, Juno's dad, takes Juno to meet the couple, and the papers are drawn up for a legal adoption that will give the childless Lorings - who've been trying to conceive for five years, with no luck - the baby they've been wanting at last.

The bulk of the film deals with Juno's pregnancy, and how that pregnancy affects the lives of her, Bleeker, her family, and the Lorings - most of which seen through the eyes of Juno, who while playing so street smart has an undeniable innocence and naivete inside her, you can't help but love the girl. Page's performance is what gives the film its core, but the ensemble cast surrounding her is just as talented - and funny, delivering Diablo Cody's smart dialogue to perfection. This is a warm, small film with a big heart that went out into the world with a whimper - and immediately became one of the most successful, best-loved films of the year.

And deservedly so. Juno is funny and intelligent, touching and humane - and one of the best, most realistic films about teenagers ever made. ****1/2 - Reel Awesome-Reel Must-See