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| juno |
JUNO - UK RELEASE FEBRUARY 8TH
Coming on like a hip younger sibling of last year's Knocked Up, Juno is a sweet and smart little gem of a movie.
When Ellen Page's (last seen in 2005's controversial Hard Candy) eponymous heroine becomes unexpectedly preggers
following a night of teenage fumbling with gawky friend Paulie (Superbad's Michael Cera) her life turns completely upside down.
Put off the idea of abortion by lone student protests and punky clinic receptionists, Juno decides to go through with the birth but to
put it up for adoption. Scanning through the local paper with best mate Leah (Olivia Thirlby) she finds what seems like the ideal
couple for her unborn – smart yuppie types Vanessa and Mark (Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman). Taking her blue collar Dad
with her, she visits the pair for an awkward interview process which, despite Mark's subtle shows of reluctance, results in the
agreement for adoption. As the weeks go by, everyone involved begins to feel the strain of the impeding birth and the pressure of
growing up.
Juno benefits from some impressive performances all round; Cera has innocent naivety down to a tee and Alison Janney is
wonderful as a step-mum who is actually like, normal (a rarity in the movies). Bateman and Garner offer solid support, subtly and
sensitively portraying a fading marriage. It is however, Page's movie. Fully deserving of her best actress Oscar nom, she delivers
coolly acerbic lines with relish, recalling the sharp cynicism of a Christina Ricci or Ghost World's Thora Birch. One to watch,
clearly.
The film's indie credentials are pushed up to the max with a charming soundtrack largely made up of songs from The Moldy
Peaches' Kimya Dawson whose laid back bitter-sweet melodies and eccentric lyrics perfectly match the tone of the film.
What could become over-bearingly twee (the closing scene could be a little bit too much for the more cold of heart) is saved by
the astuteness of Diablo Cody's knowing script. All the more impressive is the fact that it's the 28 year old ex-strippers first movie.
Combined with Jason Reitman's (son of legendary Ghostbusters' helmer Ivan) assured direction the pace and plotting of the film
is top rate.
From start to finish Juno is a well observed and very funny comedy. Set to make huge stars of its principal performers, it
balances laugh out loud moments with some genuinely touching scenes. Proof that romantic comedies don't have to be dumb
or nausea inducing, Juno comes strongly recommended.
Review by Robert Monk
JUNO SOUNDTRACK
‘Twee’ is certainly a word that comes to mind when watching the film and the choice of soundtrack songs certainly complement
this. However it is the character Mark, a thirtysomething wannabe grunge rock star, who keeps this soundtrack from falling into
the expected typical anti-folk grounds. The inclusion of Sonic Youth’s cover of The Carpenters‘ ‘Superstar’ and The Kinks’ ‘Well
Respected Man’ although fairly subdued songs by each of these acts, add more depth and variation to what could have been a
Moldy Peaches tribute album. Now before you leap to your feet in protest, I am a huge fan of the Moldy Peaches and its heroine
Kimya Dawson who dominates this soundtrack with The Moldy Peaches, her solo work and collaborative work with Antsy Pants.
All in all, the amazing choice of songs from unsung heroes such as Belle and Sebastian, Cat Power and Barry Louis Polisar
help transcend this exceptional film into stellar territories. The fact that the album recently reached number 1 in the American
Billboard charts should be looked at as a resounding victory for lo-fi music. Enjoy the album in its entirety and make sure you
give the final track a wonderful cover of ‘Anyone Else But You’ by the hero and heroine of the film, Michael Cera & Ellen Page a
good few listens.
Track listing:
01 Barry Louis Polisar: "All I Want Is You"
02 Kimya Dawson: "Rollercoaster (Juno Film Version)"
03 The Kinks: "A Well Respected Man"
04 Buddy Holly: "Dearest"
05 Mateo Messina: "Up the Spout"
06 Kimya Dawson: "Tire Swing"
07 Belle & Sebastian: "Piazza, New York Catcher"
08 Kimya Dawson: "Loose Lips"
09 Sonic Youth: "Superstar"
10 Kimya Dawson: "Sleep (Instrumental)"
11 Belle & Sebastian: "Expectations"
12 Mott the Hoople: "All the Young Dudes"
13 Kimya Dawson: "So Nice So Smart"
14 Cat Power: "Sea of Love"
15 Kimya Dawson and Antsy Pants: "Tree Hugger"
16 Velvet Underground: "I'm Sticking With You"
17 The Moldy Peaches: "Anyone Else but You"
18 Antsy Pants: "Vampire"
19 Ellen Page and Michael Cera: "Anyone Else but You"
Review by Dee Sekar
Coming on like a hip younger sibling of last year's Knocked Up, Juno is a sweet and smart little gem of a movie.
When Ellen Page's (last seen in 2005's controversial Hard Candy) eponymous heroine becomes unexpectedly preggers
following a night of teenage fumbling with gawky friend Paulie (Superbad's Michael Cera) her life turns completely upside down.
Put off the idea of abortion by lone student protests and punky clinic receptionists, Juno decides to go through with the birth but to
put it up for adoption. Scanning through the local paper with best mate Leah (Olivia Thirlby) she finds what seems like the ideal
couple for her unborn – smart yuppie types Vanessa and Mark (Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman). Taking her blue collar Dad
with her, she visits the pair for an awkward interview process which, despite Mark's subtle shows of reluctance, results in the
agreement for adoption. As the weeks go by, everyone involved begins to feel the strain of the impeding birth and the pressure of
growing up.
Juno benefits from some impressive performances all round; Cera has innocent naivety down to a tee and Alison Janney is
wonderful as a step-mum who is actually like, normal (a rarity in the movies). Bateman and Garner offer solid support, subtly and
sensitively portraying a fading marriage. It is however, Page's movie. Fully deserving of her best actress Oscar nom, she delivers
coolly acerbic lines with relish, recalling the sharp cynicism of a Christina Ricci or Ghost World's Thora Birch. One to watch,
clearly.
The film's indie credentials are pushed up to the max with a charming soundtrack largely made up of songs from The Moldy
Peaches' Kimya Dawson whose laid back bitter-sweet melodies and eccentric lyrics perfectly match the tone of the film.
What could become over-bearingly twee (the closing scene could be a little bit too much for the more cold of heart) is saved by
the astuteness of Diablo Cody's knowing script. All the more impressive is the fact that it's the 28 year old ex-strippers first movie.
Combined with Jason Reitman's (son of legendary Ghostbusters' helmer Ivan) assured direction the pace and plotting of the film
is top rate.
From start to finish Juno is a well observed and very funny comedy. Set to make huge stars of its principal performers, it
balances laugh out loud moments with some genuinely touching scenes. Proof that romantic comedies don't have to be dumb
or nausea inducing, Juno comes strongly recommended.
Review by Robert Monk
JUNO SOUNDTRACK
‘Twee’ is certainly a word that comes to mind when watching the film and the choice of soundtrack songs certainly complement
this. However it is the character Mark, a thirtysomething wannabe grunge rock star, who keeps this soundtrack from falling into
the expected typical anti-folk grounds. The inclusion of Sonic Youth’s cover of The Carpenters‘ ‘Superstar’ and The Kinks’ ‘Well
Respected Man’ although fairly subdued songs by each of these acts, add more depth and variation to what could have been a
Moldy Peaches tribute album. Now before you leap to your feet in protest, I am a huge fan of the Moldy Peaches and its heroine
Kimya Dawson who dominates this soundtrack with The Moldy Peaches, her solo work and collaborative work with Antsy Pants.
All in all, the amazing choice of songs from unsung heroes such as Belle and Sebastian, Cat Power and Barry Louis Polisar
help transcend this exceptional film into stellar territories. The fact that the album recently reached number 1 in the American
Billboard charts should be looked at as a resounding victory for lo-fi music. Enjoy the album in its entirety and make sure you
give the final track a wonderful cover of ‘Anyone Else But You’ by the hero and heroine of the film, Michael Cera & Ellen Page a
good few listens.
Track listing:
01 Barry Louis Polisar: "All I Want Is You"
02 Kimya Dawson: "Rollercoaster (Juno Film Version)"
03 The Kinks: "A Well Respected Man"
04 Buddy Holly: "Dearest"
05 Mateo Messina: "Up the Spout"
06 Kimya Dawson: "Tire Swing"
07 Belle & Sebastian: "Piazza, New York Catcher"
08 Kimya Dawson: "Loose Lips"
09 Sonic Youth: "Superstar"
10 Kimya Dawson: "Sleep (Instrumental)"
11 Belle & Sebastian: "Expectations"
12 Mott the Hoople: "All the Young Dudes"
13 Kimya Dawson: "So Nice So Smart"
14 Cat Power: "Sea of Love"
15 Kimya Dawson and Antsy Pants: "Tree Hugger"
16 Velvet Underground: "I'm Sticking With You"
17 The Moldy Peaches: "Anyone Else but You"
18 Antsy Pants: "Vampire"
19 Ellen Page and Michael Cera: "Anyone Else but You"
Review by Dee Sekar
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