Juno- Again

I don't often see a movie twice within a couple or so weeks. But I took my wife to see Juno last weekend. I had already seen it with my daughter (who still lists it as her #1 movie of the year.) I had to take my wife. I knew she would enjoy it.

Like many others- she was overpowered by its story and meaning. It is a deep and riveting movie hidden inside humor and comedy and a "charming" story. But "charming" can hide a multitude of human emotions and concerns. June does that- and does it extremely well.

Perhaps the one thing that I hadn't noticed the first time through was how naive and trusting and, well, innocent Juno herself was. Even though she thinks she is the master of her own life and has life figured out, she is as clueless as most of us were at age 16. She believes people. She expects them to be believable. Bleecker, her boyfriend and father of her child, has some of the same cluelessness as he downs his orange TicTacs. But he may be a little less naive. It's just a hunch, but somehow or another he knows that things are not what they seem.

In the end as Juno discovers the painful side of life- as she feels betrayed- she also realizes that life is interesting in spite of the pain. At that moment she seems to step back and become who she really is- a fragile 16-year old in need of support and care from others. I didn't notice that the first time around. The movie is as good the second time as the first.

Who knows if it stands a chance to get nominated. The director's guild didn't nominate it which lowers its chances. But I have a hunch it is going to be one of those ongoing special, age-defining movies. Don't miss it. It deals with life on life's terms and makes no judgments. It simply places it before you and lets you decide.