The Movie "Juno" on DVD
 | Juno rating:  asin: B000YABYLA binding: DVD list price: $29.98 USD amazon price: $14.99 USD |
I finally had the opportunity to see the movie "Juno." I have been wanting to see it ever since I heard about a movie coming out that involved adoption. Reading reviews by Lisa and Patricia Dischler got me even more interested. Unfortunately, I do not get to go to the movies very often, so I had to wait for the DVD to be released.
I am so grateful that I waited for the DVD to see the movie. If I had not, then I would have missed out on 20 minutes of deleted scenes and the screen tests, which really add a deeper level to the story.
For whatever reason, scenes showing that Juno was a troubled child were mostly edited out. The movie gave hints of her being somewhat troubled, but the deleted scenes include vandalism, smoking while pregnant, and other actions that drive home that she was a troubled teen. Unless I missed it, I had the impression while watching the movie that Juno had gotten pregnant during her first time having sex, but the screen tests included a segment about her having sex "6 or 7 times" with another boy the summer before.
The deleted scenes also provided more insight into the adoptive parents. An entire scene was edited out that showed the adoptive mother's opinion of Juno. While her husband had bonded with Juno (maybe a little too much!!), the hopeful adoptive mother saw Juno as a troubled kid. You could see more hints of a rift between the couple during that scene.
Even if you have already seen the movie "Juno," you might want to check out the DVD. The deleted scenes are definitely worth it.
Juno
I too got the chance to see Juno for the first time last night. I enjoyed the movie, but the best part was how I got to see it. My eldest called and said, "Don't make dinner." Later she arrived with an armful of pizzas and the movie, which she had just bought. We waited until the kiddos were in bed, and watched it together. I enjoyed it, and was glad I hadn't listened to much of the chatter about it, because it was fun watching it, not really knowing how it would all turn out.
I felt it wasn't particularly realistic, because it was meant to be that way. Funny, quirky, a little surreal. It seemed like a series of comic vignettes about this pregnant teen, that never really delved very deep...intentionally. It's hard to get too critical or worked up over a movie that just does not seem to take itself very seriously.
I know some people would say it's not a topic to joke about. Maybe they're right, but it's pretty standard stuff to poke fun at serious things. I guess my only problem with the whole thing was that the Juno character seemed too contrived. She was so smoothly vulgar, or bitingly witty. No one really talks like that, especially not a troubled teen. Only in the movies are troubled teens so darned adorable while being obnoxious.