DVD review: Juno (15)

Published on 06/06/2008 18:13

**** Director: Jason Reitman

19.99

Running time: 92 minutes

Much was made of this little indie gem when it was released earlier this year, and the Oscar win for Diablo Cody's script reflected that enthusiasm. Smartly written, smartly acted, and indeed smartly promoted, the teenage pregnancy drama is nigh on impossible to dislike.

Juno (played by Ellen Page), is just your average high school student who spends her days freewheeling around on her bike and her evenings chatting to her mates on the hamburger phone in her bedroom.

A fumble with best mate Bleeker (Michael Cera from Arrested Development) results in the inevitable. But this is no preaching, moralistic drama. Rather it bursts with compassion for teenagers and single mothers without drooping into melancholy or sentimentality.

Cody's script is what keeps this sharp, along with great performances from Jason Bateman and Allison Janney as the grown-ups attempting to act like they know how to act. Page's potential for more success is there for all to see.