'Juno' review by Captain Raptor

'Juno' review by Captain Raptor

Last week's review went unwritten due to reasons of sickness and scheduling, for which I humbly beg for the forgiveness of my readership. This also means that I haven't had much time to set aside for viewing any films myself, and for this reason I've decided to review one of my all-time favourite films, Juno. Doing this allows you to gain perspective on exactly what it is that I value in a film, so you can actually get more out of future reviews. Plus, y'know, it's this or nothing.

The first and foremost reason that Juno is such an enthralling experience is Ellen Page. She is an absolute phenomenon, one of the greatest performances I've ever seen, breezing her way through comic and dramatic scenes alike. Olivia Thirlby and herself deliver Diablo Cody's masterfully written dialogue (packed to bursting with teenage idioms and sarcasm) with high levels of both hilarity and conviction, and whenever there is the slightest modicum of drama to be found, Page dominates the screen. She's expertly supported not just by a cast who all brought their A-game (in particular Allison Janney's uptight stepmother and Michael Cera in the most stereotypical Michael Cera role imaginable) but by a script that's a revelation in quality. The dialogue might be my favourite of any film ever written, crafted with an underlying sense of wit throughout, and the characterization is superb - all the main characters are fully fleshed out, believable, and everybody's sympathetic to at least some degree. 

Although it's not a hugely plot-driven film, Juno is incredibly rapid-fire. It's 9 months in 90 minutes, the snowballing turmoil of Juno's life set to a sleepy Minnesota backdrop where the weather changes but the people don't. Juno's pregnancy is treated by the film more with the main character's cool detachment that with a great deal of sentimentality, but it is an undeniably sweet and heartwarming film, without being overly childish or twee. Every element works together to enhance what would already be an astounding film - the cinematography is smartly and intuitively done, the soundtrack is excellently chosen and fits the film to a tee, and it perfectly illustrates that all the experience and budget in the world can't outshine talent. 

Juno is hilarious, possessing both an unparalleled script with unbelievably good dialogue and a lead performer with insurpassable energy, delivery and range. It's an outstanding achievement in comedy drama, with neither element ever restricting the other, gifting the audience with an experience that's as affecting and moving as it is irreverent and hysterical. The entire cast and crew deserves the utmost praise for a finished product that's miles ahead of the competition in practically every category imaginable.