The quirky hit, Juno, set perfectly to the melody of indie-star Kimya Dawson, is enjoying much critical admiration, commercial success, and may even receive an Oscar nomination (if the show goes on). The plot, about a pregnant teenager who finds adoptive parents for her unborn child, speaks to our times and concerns, and the quick-witted, spunky characters are both relatable and lovable. The significance of individual choice and lifestyles shines through excellent performances by Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, J.K. Simmons, and others.

Though I adore Reitman's attention to character details, such as the stepmother's obsession with cutting out pictures of dogs or Bleeker's with orange Tic Tacs, as well as the fact that Juno is a smart and somewhat self-sufficient teen who is neither a full-fledged outcast nor overtly rebellious, I find her reactions, expressions, and dialogue to be too dead-pan. And though I appreciate her eventual emotional breakdown, and the obvious pain of the delivery itself, her sobs seem to come out a bit late.

I'm sorry, but no matter how emotionally distant, witty, non-conformist, apathetic, or drama-free a girl like Juno (or any other outside-of-the-box teenager) acts, the fact remains that casualness and blatant dark humor while dealing with her little problem are not highly believable. It's all a bit over-the-top: the hamburger phone, her snarky comments about the fetus, and her somewhat rudely impulsive behavior when visiting Vanessa and Mark, not to mention her nearly out-of-nowhere longing and love for Bleeker, who isn't given enough on-screen action. I appreciate the relationship and mutual respect between Juno and her father, as well as the modernized aspects of her home life, and the brief discussions of and references to "true" punk music, but I'm not sure if the film is trying to show the lives of teenagers as they "really" are, or if it's attempting to provide a pro-life message, or if it simply strives to stand as an alternative-indie classic among the likes of Ghost World. Whatever Diablo Cody and Jason Reitman's intentions may be, Juno is undoubtedly uplifting and, while perhaps unrealistic, certainly sweet and enjoyable.

by Alternative Amy