Midd Blog

I’ve seen this movie twice so far. So you’d probably assume I’m enamored with it. And I am, to an extent. I was probably demanding too much from it, because I expected it to be this amazing, quirky, out-of-the-ordinary film, but I have some issues with it. I have two qualms with it: poorly dealt with or omitted sex ed issues and the clash between sappy traditionalist messages and the more different “quirky” feel of the characters, which did not mesh well, in my opinion. The first results from my being overly sensitive to pro-choice issues and issues of safe sex. It doesn’t seem in character to me that the issue of contraception was completely ignored. Juno’s a character who deep down is quite mature for her age. She’s not afraid or embarrassed by anything, including going down to the convenience store and buying just about every pregnancy test available. If the act was premeditated, as she claimed, wouldn’t it be in character for her to walk down there and buy some condoms? I disliked how this issue was completely ignored, as if she was mature enough to arrange an appointment for an abortion for herself but not aware enough to buy a pack of condoms. Secondly, I disliked the way they portrayed the abortion option, though I’m glad it was considered (unlike in “Knocked Up” where it was all but ignored, with one brief mention). And don’t get me wrong, I understand that if Juno took this route, there would be no movie to follow up. I’m overly sensitive to this issue, but at times it seemed to me to have subtle pro-life messages (even while the “all children need to be borned” was portrayed as it was). That aside, the second issue I had was how it at times descended into some sort of sappy sentimentality, which is understandable, but unexpected, as far as I was concerned, in this film. (I can’t remember exactly which scenes rubbed me the wrong way, but most likely the interaction between her and her father discussing what kind of permanent love was possible, and when she confesses her love to Bleeker). This is probably just because of an expectation of complete unconventionality of this film, but Juno’s unconventionality didn’t seem to be compatible with the typical hollywood scenes that resulted.
Small qualms to be sure, so overall I agree, it was a fabulous film.

Well said, Sage. You bring up an interesting point with Juno’s maturity/comfort level and the condoms. Although, I have to admit, I’m a little confused about the circumstances under which “the chair” occurred. First it was her idea. Then it was because she was bored. Then it was because she liked him. I don’t think that issue was ever resolved. So, if it happened because she was bored, then maybe she wouldn’t have had the forethought to obtain contraceptives. Who knows?

Sage, I think you make some really interesting points. However, maybe it is better that Juno’s character be more complex than simply conventional or unconventional (perhaps as you said, to make an interesting movie). Even though she’s independent and unconventional, she is also young, immature, and vulnerable–It’s not so surprising that she would have moments of being irresponsable or sentimental. The movie struck me as plausible, although, like you, I would have preferred sex-ed and pro-choice issues to be more included.

i assumed Juno was directed by the same guy that directed Knocked Up because it’s about an unexpected pregnancy, and Michael Cera stars as Juno’s boyfriend (he was one of the goofy kids from Superbad, a close relative of Knocked Up), but it turns out this is not the case