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Those who have read my Oscar post will know that i quite liked Juno. I may have actually announced my undying love for a certain female star of said film.

Truth be told it was Juno that i fell in love with. Let me expain why.

This film deals with the topic of teenage pregnancy. Don’t go anywhere though. This isn’t just another midday movie. The film actually ventures into totally new areas when dealing with this topic. It goes through what to do with the baby in about 10 minutes. Now your average Hollywood movie would probably try and tap this well until it was bone dry but the script by Diablo Cody (no, not her real name but awesome just the same) moves onto the much more engaging story of Juno’s journey towards her pregnancy and eventual adoption of her child.

I won’t spoil too much but basically Juno offers the baby up for adoption to a seemingly lovely couple played marvelously by Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner. She is the kind of woman who has had a plan for her life since she was a young girl. Career for a few years then marriage then a baby. He plays the outwardly dutiful husband. These two are awesome and in my opinion Jason was unlucky not to pick up an Oscar nod. We (and in this case i mean I) immediately identify with the slightly hen-pecked husband whose dreams seem to have taken a back seat those of his wife. Juno warms to him straight away and the two grow quite close.

The other main relationship in the film exists between Juno and the father of her baby Paulie Bleaker, played with magnificent awkwardness by Michael Cera (George Michael from Arrested Development). The way that he and Juno interact is fascinating. They’re just two young friends who share an decidedly adult moment that has decidedly adult consequences. Their journey from teen angst to deep emotional connection is inspiring, hilarious, and heart-wrenching. Other movie partnerships are going to have to try very hard to get over these two for best couple of 2008.

The supporting cast is also excellent. There isn’t a misspent second on any role in this film. No dead wieght at all. Juno’s upbeat and supportive best friend is fantastic and special mention must be given to Allison Janney and J.K. Simmons as Juno’s parents. Every scene feels essential. Special mention must be given to Janney when she puts a judgemental ultrasound operator in her place. The affection between her and Juno is palpable.

The soundtrack is also fantastic. Fans on indie film Garden State are gonna love the music of Juno. I downloaded it as soon as i got home from the cinema. I was thrilled to find that the duet between Ellen Page and Michael Cera at the end of the film is on the soundtrack.

I cannot praise this film enough. Everyone from the director on down gives above and beyond on this one. I need to make room in my top five because this film has to be in there.