“Juno” is the brainchild of Diablo Cody, the screenwriter of this coming of age comedy/drama. When an unplanned pregnancy arrives sixteen year old Juno is faced with reality surrounded by the typical teen life she leads. This quirky, smart character is endearing to no end.

The relationships between the characters is wonderful to watch and you quickly grow attached to the real people you see portrayed in the film. The relationship between Juno and her father and stepmother is at once funny and real. I loved the scene between the father and stepmother after they find out Juno is pregnant, it comes off the way real parents would talk. The connection between Juno and the young couple she meets becomes a whole other world in her once normal life.

The direction of the film by Jason Reitman is at perfect pitch. He directed another excellent film, “Thank You For Smoking” with much the same quality direction. Ellen Page is perfectly cast as Juno. Her delivery of lines, her caustic comic timing and heartfelt moments couldn’t be better. The screenplay is wonderfully funny and touching with such original unique writing which no doubt helped make the movie so popular. Excellent performances by a terrific supporting cast including Michael Cera, J.K. Simmons, Allison Janney, Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner make this a movie not to miss.

2007. Directed by Jason Reitman. Written by Diablo Cody. Starring Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Olivia Thirlby, J.K. Simmons, Allison Janney, Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner.

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