Kevin Koczwara Collegian Staff

Score: A-

Diablo Cody’s script for the movie “Juno” is, for lack of a better word, fantastic. It is a first-time script from the young writer – and hopefully not the last. The story is a wholesome comedy about finding who you are, love and its true meaning, and to top it all off the movie is PG-13. This is a monumental accomplishment in the world of cinema today, with most comedies full of potheads, unrealistic sexual lives of high school kids and language that no mother would approve of. Who thought a movie about a pregnant girl could end up being very funny and not show a birth sequence? Who thought a comedy could be very funny these days without including at least one scene where the main character takes a large hit from a bong in the script? Well, Cody did. He wrote the genuine script that is “Juno,” and director Jason Reitman (“Thank You For Smoking”) contributed to the movie a strong direction and a light and airy mood. Reitman’s direction is a major piece of the movie and its pacing, tone and overall dry atmosphere lead to so many of the laughs. The story revolves around a teenage girl, Juno, played by the exceptional Ellen Page (“Hard Candy”), who becomes pregnant after sleeping with her best friend Paulie Bleeker, played by the bumbling Michael Cera (“Superbad” and “Arrested Development”). The two have sex and forget one vital piece: a contraceptive. The two share a unique chemistry on the screen. Where Page has a quick mouth that gets her into most of her troubles, Cera slowly stumbles over each word and cannot express himself in the time allotted to him by Page. After telling her best friend Leah – played by Olivia Thirlby, a newcomer who looks like she’ll hang around for some time – Juno decides to tell her parents. The parents are played by two veteran actors, J.K. Simmons (the “Spider-Man” movies) and Allison Janney (“The West Wing,” “Hairspray” and “American Beauty”). Her parents are in disbelief and, frankly, very funny in their confusion. They are of no help and almost unable to believe that Bleeker could be the one who Juno had slept with. Juno hastily decides to get an abortion. That plan falls through when she finds out from a pro-life classmate that babies have fingernails and the girl working the desk inside continually talks about her sex life with her very own boyfriend and what the condoms taste like. Juno needs another plan and her best friend has one. The main plot of the movie now comes to the forefront. Juno and Leah then search the Pennysaver for parents seeking to adopt, and find the perfect couple: Mark and Vanessa Loring (Jennifer Gardner and Jason Bateman). The couple seems a little too perfect on the outside. Juno lays on the sarcasm heavy at the first meeting and each subsequent meeting there after. After one meeting Juno goes as far as to say, “You should’ve gone to China, you know, ’cause I hear they give away babies like free iPods. You know, they pretty much just put them in those T-shirt guns and shoot them out at sporting events.” She brings insult to injury to the couple seeking a child who for some unknown reason cannot conceive themselves. Juno’s own adolescent rage and blindness don’t allow her to see what is truly going on underneath; her hormones are pretty active and shield her from contacting with anyone on an emotional level. Juno and Mark share many of the same tastes, including music, horror movies and a cynical outlook on the consumer driven world. Where Mark seems like a rebel, Vanessa seems to be the one who has brought him down and bottled him up in the sweet suburban life where they now live. Juno and Mark watch old horror movies together while Vanessa is working her corporate job. Mark seems to be the perfect man for Juno’s child, but hidden deep within him is an unexpected secret. Mark and Vanessa struggle to find their relationship and keep their footing, and so does Juno. She struggles with her feelings for Paulie. At times she shows her inner self to him and then shuts the door as he begins to step into her world. Paulie is not the usual Prince Charming and that is what gives him a charm. The bumbling and fumbling teenage boy is Cera’s strong suit, as evidenced in “Arrested Development” and “Superbad.” Cera has now done a few stints as this character and he has really perfected it. Over time, he will lose appeal due to his lack of range, but for now it is his niche. The truth about Paulie and Juno is revealed at the end and the two sit on steps singing their song, alternating verses with choruses. The ending doesn’t feel forced or cheesy. The movie has a great way of ending with one note, then bringing the audience to another that is happy and uplifting, and each is of a happy couple. Kevin Koczwara can be reached at [email protected].