Monday, November 15, 2010

Great Expectations

Juno was the little film that could.  Low budget, no stars, it came out of nowhere in 2007 to gross $230 million worldwide and win a ton of awards.  Then came the backlash. It's not that good.

I just watched it for the first time since it was in the theatres.  I think it holds up.  Maybe it was so unexpectedly enjoyable the critics overrated it originally, but it's still a lot of fun.  There are plenty of decent jokes and turns of phrase in Diablo Cody's Oscar-winning script.  Ellen Page is cute without being cloying, and the supporting cast, including J. K. Simmons, Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner hold their own. Michael Cera even reminds you how his style once seemed fresh.  And the plot, even if it isn't earth-shattering, earns its moments.

Maybe it's all a bit precious, and has too light a tone for a serious problem.  But we can't ask every movie to carry the weight of the world.  Why criticize a film that's this entertaining when so many others try and fail?

3 Comments:

Blogger QueensGuy said...

I particularly enjoyed the Planned Parenthood scene. It's so rare to see an abortion protester portrayed as a real person.

7:35 AM, November 15, 2010  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think the term you are looking for there is "sympathetic" not "real" because the character is a little bit nutty comical in her behavior. (And while I tend to think a lot of true believers on any side of any side issue are nutty & comical in their focus, I don't think they are in this way)

5:19 AM, November 16, 2010  
Blogger QueensGuy said...

Sympathetic is a better term, anon., thanks! Though she did remind me quite a bit of a "real" person I know -- nuttiness, comedy and all.

1:08 PM, November 16, 2010  

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