Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Olivia Thirlby, J.K Simmons, Rainn Wilson

Cinematically speaking, I have completely fallen for a certain pregnant 16-year-old girl with a smart mouth and an even smarter wit. Yes, I have a crush on Juno - the heroine of this year�s brightest and funniest film.

Before we get into the plot, let me jut say that �Juno� has all the elements needed for a triumphant, remarkable film. It�s smart, witty, and incredibly engaging. Director Jason Reitman (�Thank You for Smoking�) and newcomer Diablo Cody have made a film with such huge heart, I can see the clever dialogue bouncing off the page with big cartoon hearts floating about � and badly drawn arrows tearing through them.

Ellen Page plays Juno MacGuff, a tiny spitfire with a wisecrack for every situation. She�s a quirky hipster with a taste for music before her time and a love for Italian horror films. �It started with a chair,� our heroine says in the opening scenes. Following an evening of experimentation with part-time lover and full-time friend Paulie Bleeker (the always incredible Michael Cera), brave little Juno finds out that she is pregnant.

Bleeker isn�t quite the Casanova you might have him pegged as. As a member of the school�s track tream, Paulie is constantly covered in sweatbands and extremely undersized running shorts. He�s got a strange obsession with orange Tic-Tacs that only add to his overall eccentricity. In other words � he�s perfect for Juno.

At first, Juno considers an abortion, but catches a nasty vibe at the clinic she visits. After revealing the truth to her supportive blue-collar father (J.K. Simmons) and stepmother (Allison Janney), Juno goes to the "Desperately Seeking Spawn" section of the penny saver in search of a good couple for her unborn bastard.

Who else would she find but Vanessa (Jennifer Garner) and Mark (Jason Bateman) who are the definition of Mr. and Mrs. Peachy Keen. They�re ready to adopt and everything seems to be working out perfectly for Juno and the prospective parents of her child. The problem is, Mark (Bateman) is having doubts about his ability to be a good father and his decisions could bring everything to an earth-shattering hault.

�Juno� isn�t one of those non-stop absurd comedies that sacrifice story and character for potential gags. No, Diablo Cody�s script is funny in a sassy, quick-witted way. It�s the kind of humor that causes a lot of smiles and endearing glances toward the silver screen.

The performances in this picture are entirely off the scale. Ellen Page delivers a breakthrough performance as edgy, yet lovable, Juno. Then there�s Michael Cera who is so awkward at times it makes me feel as though I�ve impregnated someone without knowing it. J.K. Simmons and Allison Janney are perfect as the parents and nothing bad can be said about Garner and Bateman�s role as would-be super-parents. Bateman�s character of the unsure father is so completely human and genuine that at times I find myself having a hard time believing it�s simple a character and not a real person.

There is no wasted dialogue in �Juno.� Every line is worth listening to and enjoying for its own subtle charms. The script is polished beyond perfection. I�m not sure if I can find a flaw in it�s simplistic, yet endearing story arc. This is the kind of film where I have to find a reason not to like it. I�m literally nitpicking every scene for grounds to not give this film a perfect score.

�Juno� might just be the best film of 2007. It is an emotional rollercoaster that treats the audience to a belly-full of laughter as well as some tear-filled eyes. Outstanding.

Rating :
Reviewer : Adam Frazier