Juno
— Posted by Annie (February 22, 2008 at 4:14 pm)
I saw Juno the other night and really liked it. Has anyone else seen it? What did you think? I’d like to see it again, but I’ll have to wait until it comes out on video since I can’t really afford to go to the theater again.
I think Ellen Page did a great job, but so did everyone else, especially her boyfriend, Bleeker (Michael Cera).
I just wanted to get your thoughts on a few things. First, I was a little surprised by her choice of adopted parents given her personality. What were your thoughts on that?
Also, for those of you who have not seen the movie and don’t want to know the ending, stop reading here . . .
I was happy that she still chose adoption in the end. I thought perhaps she had changed her mind. I know her little boy would grow up with lots of love, but it made me a little sad that he wouldn’t have a father. The scene where Vanessa (Jennifer Garner) was holding her little baby boy, felt a little empty. I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on this as well.
This entry is filed under Babies. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Germaine says:
I thought it was a great movie! I’m don’t think it was very realistic on a few points though. Please don’t continue reading if you haven’t seen the movie but plan on viewing it. 1) I was a little surprised that Bleeker wanted to continue being friends (or more) with Juno after her pregnancy. It seems to me that in a lot of relationships when an unmarried girl gets pregnant the boyfriend scadaddles. Of course my best friend did say that he really wasn’t involved at all with the baby because Juno didn’t want him to be. So I could see it being possible and probable that they’d get together again. 2) Sadly, she’d have dealt with a lot more than just stares from her peers/classmates, which is all the movie shows. Yet judging from her personality, she probably wouldn’t let that be a factor as to whether or not the baby should live. Aside from that though, I thought it was really good movie for teenagers and/or adults. It seems to show both sides of the issue, but remain predominantly pro-life in its message. I still think Bella is the ultimate pro-life movie, but this runs a close second. I’m really glad its garnered so much attention and the oscar nominations.
Has anyone see Amazing Grace? I thought it was fantastic, because though it’s about the work of abolitionist William Wilberforce it definitely parallells(sp?) the work and upheaval prolifers are dealing with.
Comment posted February 22nd, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Nikolia says:
Hurrah, they just won best original screenplay!
Comment posted February 24th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Annie says:
Germaine,
I agree that many parts were not realisitc, but I think that’s what I liked about it. It was in some sense, just a movie.
My sister said she was surprised that Juno gave her baby to Vanessa even though she herself didn’t like being from a broken family.
As far as her relationship with Bleeker goes, I think he was really into her all along and was happy that she came back to him. But I agree that he seemed super laid back about the pregnancy.
Anyway, it was one of the best movies I’ve seen in a long time.
Unfortunately, I haven’t seen Bella yet and I’ve only seen part of Amazing Grace. My husband watched the whole thing and was extremely moved. And my Dad, Joe Scheidler, loved it. He felt it completely paralleled the pro-life movement.
Comment posted February 25th, 2008 at 11:52 am
Miss March says:
I didn’t read all of your article, Annie, because I didn’t want to spoil the movie if I see it. But may I ask, was there any objectionable material in it? We’re real strict in our family about what movies we are and are not allowed to see, and I don’t always trust reviews. Could you let me know without spoiling the movie? Thank you so much! God bless you!
In the Love of Christ,
Miss March
Comment posted February 25th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Mike says:
Annie,
I heard one of the writers who won an award for Juno went to Benet Academy is Lisle. The Chicago Sun Times also reported this individual used to be a stripper. What are your thoughts?
Mike
Comment posted February 26th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
John says:
Mike,
I’d have to concur with what Jill Stanek said a few months ago:
I haven’t seen Juno yet myself, but I’m assuming, for the sake of argument, that it’s as good as most pro-lifers I know who have seen it have said it is.
My general impression is that one’s opinion of art should not be affected by one’s opinion of the artist’s personality, worldview, imperfections, etc.
Since, per Romans 3:23, “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”, artists are, like the rest of us, seriously flawed. Nonetheless, good art can be — and in fact, often is — produced by artists whose personalities or views we may not necessarily hold in very high regard.
Consider, for example, Mel Gibson’s famously ignominious anti-Semitic drunken rant — a self-evidently deplorable episode. Still, both The Passion of the Christ and Apocalypto — each in its own way — were extraordinarily good films.
Or consider the example of Caravaggio. Unquestionably, he was one of the greatest artists not only of his day, but of the last 500 years. Yet in his personality, he was basically a bully and a jerk; famous for an uncontrollable temper, at one point in his life, he even killed (arguably murdered) a man.
All this is to say that for me personally, it’s worth knowing that Diablo Cody was a stripper, but for purposes of evaluating the merits of Juno per se — which, as I said, I haven’t yet seen — it doesn’t concern me.
Comment posted February 27th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Annie says:
Miss March,
Some of the language might not be appropriate if you’re family is really strict about movies. I was chatting with another Catholic speaker and singer (Sarah Bauer) the other day who also loved the movie. But she did stop and ask if I would recommend it for teens (specifically tell them to go see it). I guess it depends on the teen. I’m still pondering that. So if you are more sensitive to that sort of stuff or your family wouldn’t approve, perhaps I would refrain. How old are you if you don’t mind me asking? Any other opinions on this?
Comment posted February 28th, 2008 at 9:01 am
Miss March says:
Annie,
I’m a high school student. And we’re strict, but not too strict, so maybe I could talk my parents into letting me see it. It does look pretty good. Also, in case you were wondering about the sort of “proper” name, its not my real name. I’m just not allowed to use my real name on the internet, so I’ve adopted by favorite book character’s name: Jo March.
Thanks for the review! God bless!
~Jo March
Comment posted February 29th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Annie says:
Miss March,
Ah! Little Women - also a favorite of mine. Good pick.
Maybe your folks could go see it first and see if they think it’s appropriate. The over all theme and good message of the movie trumps some of the language in my opinion. Let me know if you see it.
Comment posted March 1st, 2008 at 8:42 am
Miss March says:
Thanks! I’ll suggest that to them. Things are crazy here now, so if not while in theatres, I’ll make sure to rent it later on.
God bless and thanks again for the advice.
AMDG,
Jo March
Comment posted March 4th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
JillR. says:
If this was a real situation instead of a movie plot, the baby could end up with a father at some point if Vanessa remarries. One thing I would have liked to have seen Vanessa do in the movie is breastfeed the baby, because it is possible for an adoptive mother to do this. (I don’t know specifics on how this actually works, but I’ve heard several times that it is possible)
Comment posted March 10th, 2008 at 4:38 am
Annie says:
Jill,
The likelihood of Vanessa meeting someone again is pretty good, I would think. She’s quite beautiful and has a very loving heart.
As far as the breastfeeding thing goes, it was a pretty short scene, so I don’t think they necessarily needed to show her nursing, but you are correct. Breasfeeding an adoptive child is possible. I read a bit about it in Mothering magazine.
It’s not always easy, but a while the adoptive mother breastfeeds her child, a tube is attached to her nipple which is attached to a bag of formula which usually hangs over her back. Her child then nurses and continues to nurse because she is receiving food.
Mother and child continue with this scenario until the mother’s milk comes in (because her breasts have been stimulated by the nursing). This way the child doesn’t get discourage in the early stages when there is no milk.
I hope I explained that well enough.
Comment posted March 12th, 2008 at 6:58 am