juno

confession - watched this film from a dvd
still on wide-screen theatre release
you can't rent or buy it yet on dvd format
but these days anyone with the knowledge
a decent bandwidth connection to the internet
and an (un)healthy disrespect for copyright laws
can download just about anything it seems
myself - the old-schooler in me says do it right
and see it still in the best environment going
catch it in the big screen if you can
but on this night my must-see list is over-flowing
and a down-loaded copy was on offer for a viewing
and it's bucketing down in this very wet sydney summer
and there's a teacher friend who wants to see the film
so she can be prepared for a classroom discussion
and i'll go and see it on the big screen anyway
and...and...and..
anyway the projector was set up for a family viewing
which seemed appropriate given this is a family kind of film
in that it very well depicts in one sense a family dealing with a crisis
the 16 year old daughter/step-daughter becomes pregnant
and we then see the effect of this on her and those around her
as she decides to have the baby and give it up for adoption
juno lives in small-town america so it's a close-knit community
and she interacts with all types of people along the way
particularly her father and step-mother who are most supportive
alison janney (the west wing) as the protective step-mom is most impressive
likewise jennifer garner as the obsessive adopting mother is also very good
the blokes in the film are presented as quite typical blokes
each with their own obsessions but also displaying empathy
this is what seems to make this film so good
all the characters are flawed in some way
but each has also a compassionate side that is quite endearing
probably not unnaturally we see juno mature before our eyes
as she develops from a teenager to a woman during the pregnancy
as a contrast we see the adoptive father refuse to grow up
he's a frustrated wannabe rockstar that cannot let go of his dream
cannot and will not stand by his maternal wife desperately wanting a child
much to the angst of juno who wants her child to go to a normal home
you know - not like one of those split ones everyone comes from
one of the big appeals of the film is the soundtrack
music is a major prop used throughout the film
not just as background noise but as integral to the story
which certainly adds to the huge appeal of this film
having seen it twice now i can understand it's popularity
it is a genuine feel-good film with references to today's culture
but at the same time gently reminding us of the big things in life
family, respect, understanding, differences, integrity
and lots of other words like that
juno - from greek mythology
great name, great film
i'll buy the dvd on release
that should ease my conscience