Juno

I think there are parts of this movie where I feel disconnected from Juno, simply because we’re different people. And, to be honest, it kind of frustrates me. I desperately want to fully understand Juno. But, I think that’s also just life. We aren’t meant to “get” everyone. However, Juno’s blatant rejection of traditional girlhood/womanhood was something I absolutely understood. Elliot Page does a brilliant job of depicting Juno’s doubt, and subsequent acceptance of her parent’s love. Juno recognizes that they won’t fully “get it”, and I think there’s a lot of tragedy in that. However, I don’t think Juno knows how to fully explain it. The main instances I’m thinking of are when Juno’s father says, “I thought you were the kind of girl who knew when to say when”, and “Someday, you’ll be back here, honey… on your terms”.  You can just see it on Elliot’s face; How much Juno just… doesn’t resonate with what her dad is saying. This movie perfectly captures knowing who you are, but not knowing how to navigate a world that doesn’t seem to “get” you. And what it feels like when someone does. Especially the subplot with Vanessa’s (EX) husband. First of all, I become more weirded out by him every time I watch the movie. I really want to know what kind of excuses Mark gave Vanessa for just casually hanging out with a 16 y/o, alone. Second, it’s tragic how much Juno’s child-of-divorce trauma comes through here. I LOVE when Juno says, “I just like being… a piece of furniture in your weird life”. To Juno, having a stable nuclear household is completely foreign to her. She’s definitely still resentful towards her mother for… literally abandoning her, which is why she’s so wary/doesn’t “click” with Vanessa.  (They have a lot of good moments later, though. I love Vanessa). And her father, while he’s supportive, he doesn’t fully get her.  Mark seems to. I feel like he’s the father Juno doesn’t have, but desperately wants. He has “cool” music taste, likes slasher films, is always available for her to talk to. It’s what makes this plot so deeply upsetting. Here’s this guy, who gives Juno the stability she needs during this extremely vulnerable time in her life, and BAM! He’s a creep!  Terrifying. I feel like this should’ve also been marketed as horror.  Love this movie tho 🫶