The movie Juno has gotten a lot of press in recent months, and it will likely receive an Oscar nod for its screenplay. It and Diablo Cody (the wearyingly cute stage name of novice screenwriter Brook Busey) have been discussed and fawned over so much that I have occasionally found myself regretting that a judge somewhere hasn’t yet issued a gag order, restraining any studio flunky or press agent from promoting the film. Let the flick speak for itself, for goodness’ sake.
Of course, my frustration may be a bit unfair, as Juno is an enjoyable movie, though I have taken to feeling that the relentless media coverage has blown this film’s modest charms out of proportion.
Any film that allots a substantial role to the wonderful character actor J.K. Simmons is off to a good start; indeed, director Jason Reitman has filled out the cast with solid performers, including Ellen Page, Arrested Development alums Jason Bateman and Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, and the excellent Allison Janney.
And as much as I may gripe about the press coverage, Cody has written a film that manages to be genuinely witty – albeit a wit that occasionally strains too hard to appear clever.
Reitman, the son of director Ivan Reitman (Ghostbusters, Dave), had previously directed the film Thank You for Smoking – a genuinely funny satire that I frankly wish had gotten the kind of attention that his present effort is receiving.
It features Aaron Eckhart as a lobbyist for the tobacco industry. It peters out a bit at the end, unconvincingly trying for a bit of pathos, but for roughly three-quarters of its length, the film displays a wonderfully welcome caustic wit. It’s worth seeing.
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