Juno
Director: Jason Reitman
It is hard to remember an indie film that lapped up this much success. Not just did it comfortably cross the line between 'sleeper hit' and 'blockbuster,' but stripper-turned-screenwriter Diablo Cody became a hero, and her film became the year's most quoted. A quirky little dramedy about teen pregnancy it may be, but Juno might arguably end up as the iconic movie for its generation.
The film is an absolute delight, and its joy lies in its detailing. While Ellen Page's titular heroine initially comes off as pretentious and painfully precocious, her vocabulary stumbles along with her life as the know-it-all finds confusion. And that's putting it mildly, considering she's pregnant with a child from Paulie Bleeker (Michael Cera), a timid buddy who wears bright yellow shorts and runs a lot.
The multitalented ensemble cast is absolutely perfect -- JK Simmons plays a great dad with Allison Janney as his wife, Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner are super as the adoptive parents, and Olivia Thirlby simply rocks as Juno's twisted best friend Leah -- as is the film's 96 minute running length, its timecapsule-y soundtrack featuring Kimya Dawson, and the modest way it turns convention on its head.
Check out the opening credits, as Juno goes from drinking orange juice to watching the boys run past, and then turns into a roughly drawn girl going through the motions.
Watch the video and try not to smile at either girl or music or just sheer anticipation of a fun film ahead.
Clever, sarcastic, irresistible. What a film.
Also Read: The Oscar Review