Juno (2007)

Juno is a film that operates in the quirky world of Juno MacGuff, a sarcastic and quick-witted high school student who gets pregnant in a non-conventional way with her best friend and running athlete, Paulie Bleeker (Michael Cera, of Superbad fame, one of my favorite comedies). The film centers around a usually dramatic subject and takes away the serious tone for more modern issues, as teen pregnancy isn't as new to us these days as it would have been ten years ago.

Without the serious tone to the film, it's able to focus on Juno's perspective rather than everyone's reactions to her decision to have her child. It's a journey for her, and a great attempt for Ellen Page to show us how she handles a lead role. Juno's plot doesn't really have a goal aside from conceiving her bundle of joy. But we see development in not only herself, but her relationships with Paulie and the family who plans to adopt her child, who also make their own changes through Juno's efforts. This movie takes parenthood to a whole different level of understanding, and with an open mind I think there is a lesson to be learned within her colorful, exaggerated world.