Slog
News & ArtsMonday, December 8, 2008
Film Why Wasn't I Warned?
Posted by Dan Savage on Mon, Dec 8, 2008 at 12:08 PM
I rented Juno this weekend—man, that picture hit more false notes than an orchestra in an earthquake. What was all the fuss about?
2
I thought the same thing. The nonstop phony hipster speak was grueling to my ears. Completely overrated. Ellen Paige or whatever acts exactly the same in every movie she's in as well.
6
I only watched it for Allison Janney. I also asked the Obama administration to make Allison the Press Secretary but apparently she was "not qualified". Whatever the fuck that means.
7
Who was that movie made for? Linguists? Probably not.
It's a folksy movie without being a true-to-live depiction of a pregnant teenage girl.
I'm pretty sure the advertisements were enough warning.
It's a folksy movie without being a true-to-live depiction of a pregnant teenage girl.
I'm pretty sure the advertisements were enough warning.
9
A story about a girl who decided to keep her baby and give it up for adoption?! REPUBLICAN RECRUITMENT TOOL!!!!!
The idea that abortion needs to be addressed as well as addressed as a pro in any movie involving pregnancy is like KOMO freaking out over SECKS. Only it's a little worse.
The idea that abortion needs to be addressed as well as addressed as a pro in any movie involving pregnancy is like KOMO freaking out over SECKS. Only it's a little worse.
10
I bet you especially loved the part where she refuses an open adoption and no one explains to her what it is and then she totally acts like they have one anyway, showing up all the time.
12
Fuck you, ya buncha commie queers. I loved it. I also loved Man on Wire, the Dark Knight, and why not, Stick It. So there.
14
I liked it... with the huge, enormous, glaring exception of the first scene in the drugstore which almost made me leave the theater it was so terrible.
My theory is that that scene was put in there to make all the hipster-lingo-rapidspeak going on in the rest of the movie more tolerable. There's such a huge dose of it in the first scene that you think, "I can't put up with 2 hours of this", but then it tapers off and relatively speaking doesn't seem as bad.
My theory is that that scene was put in there to make all the hipster-lingo-rapidspeak going on in the rest of the movie more tolerable. There's such a huge dose of it in the first scene that you think, "I can't put up with 2 hours of this", but then it tapers off and relatively speaking doesn't seem as bad.
15
Dan, maybe you're just too old to like movies for teenagers.
And @5, Republican Recruitment Tool!?? I'm not going to spoil the ending, but I don't think this movie will be getting the Fundie Seal of Approval anytime soon.
And @5, Republican Recruitment Tool!?? I'm not going to spoil the ending, but I don't think this movie will be getting the Fundie Seal of Approval anytime soon.
16
Yeah it wasn't that good - the best parts were when it was being super-over-the-top cute, because then at least it had a coherent narrative voice. Most of the movie is just kinda blah though.
20
It's such a wistful adult fantasy. The scene with the guy and the teen bonding over Dario Argento movies .. that's as fake as a kid in a film enthusing over how cool Supertramp is. (I'm looking at you, Gilmore Girls.) It's the sort of film they make to convince people in their 30s that they can still seem hip to teens.
21
I did think the movie was way overrated (and overwritten) but my opinion went up slightly at the end when it actually surprised me. The wanna-be mom is played as such a joke, and the wanna-be dad is played as "a cool guy". I appreciated that the dishonesty in their relationship is exposed, but without blaming the woman. Her desperately wanting a baby is ultimately seen as an honest desire and a positive thing, at least for a baby who needs a mom. I dug that part, a lot. It was certainly an atypical treatment of that type of character.
22
@9
Please name a single film where abortion was actually used in a positive light. I'm not saying one doesn't exist- I'm just at a loss to recall one myself.
I think it mainly comes down to the fact that it is one of several films that have come out recently that mask themselves as liberal, open, progressive movies but end up making every effort to vilify abortion. How do they do this? By taking someone who is supposedly intelligent, progressive, and mature and have them throw out all logic and all reason concerning circumstances to take a staunchly, avidly pro-life stance in concern with their pregnancy. Knocked Up is the most blatant example of this. Although I enjoyed the movie- the thing that kept me from loving it was the overwhelming lack of reason why this woman didn't immediately run out and get an abortion the very second she realized what was going on and WHO it was going on with. They spent so much time accenting how much of a complete loser this guy was, how unappealing, how much of a mistake, and how every SINGLE sign pointed to "Abort the damn thing!" (including her own mother) that it was impossible to believe her when she, out of the blue, decides to keep it.
And Juno hardly makes a reasonable argument why someone so non-chalant about abortion to begin with could be so easily and frantically swayed by the ignorant, illogical, and false words of a single anti-abortionist girl standing outside the clinic.
It pretty much screams "LOOK! Not even the progressive ladies are getting abortions! So you shouldn't either you horrible person!"
It also irks me that with these two films it was so amazingly obvious that the main reason behind the ladies' decisions to keep their babies was less about the logic in their own lives and more because if they HAD aborted the babies there wouldn't have been a movie. And that is both sloppy and boring.
More...
Please name a single film where abortion was actually used in a positive light. I'm not saying one doesn't exist- I'm just at a loss to recall one myself.
I think it mainly comes down to the fact that it is one of several films that have come out recently that mask themselves as liberal, open, progressive movies but end up making every effort to vilify abortion. How do they do this? By taking someone who is supposedly intelligent, progressive, and mature and have them throw out all logic and all reason concerning circumstances to take a staunchly, avidly pro-life stance in concern with their pregnancy. Knocked Up is the most blatant example of this. Although I enjoyed the movie- the thing that kept me from loving it was the overwhelming lack of reason why this woman didn't immediately run out and get an abortion the very second she realized what was going on and WHO it was going on with. They spent so much time accenting how much of a complete loser this guy was, how unappealing, how much of a mistake, and how every SINGLE sign pointed to "Abort the damn thing!" (including her own mother) that it was impossible to believe her when she, out of the blue, decides to keep it.
And Juno hardly makes a reasonable argument why someone so non-chalant about abortion to begin with could be so easily and frantically swayed by the ignorant, illogical, and false words of a single anti-abortionist girl standing outside the clinic.
It pretty much screams "LOOK! Not even the progressive ladies are getting abortions! So you shouldn't either you horrible person!"
It also irks me that with these two films it was so amazingly obvious that the main reason behind the ladies' decisions to keep their babies was less about the logic in their own lives and more because if they HAD aborted the babies there wouldn't have been a movie. And that is both sloppy and boring.
23
http://videogum.com/archives/backlashes/…
Everybody watched Juno this weekend and then realized it was horrible!
Everybody watched Juno this weekend and then realized it was horrible!
24
You waited too long to see it, Dan. It was a nice little movie, not Citizen Kane. (I did the same thing with Sideways.)
And I'm not sure how a movie that is clearly pro-choice could be called a "Republican party recruitment tool".
And I'm not sure how a movie that is clearly pro-choice could be called a "Republican party recruitment tool".
26
i was just talking about this with my pal as we were crossing the candian/us border last night...what if juno was a black girl from baltimore or a mexican american girl in east la...you sir would have yourself a made for tv, bullshit drama-dy without all that hipster bullshit talk. mott the hoople my ass - waste of talent in that awful fucking movie! i love aj and bateman but that flick makes me want to throw myself on a sword.
27
Movie was waaaay too precious. Also fuck Kimya Dawson. Listening to her is like eating a bowl of chicken soup sweetened with about 2 cups of corn syrup.
28
@27 It wasn't too precious. It wasn't precious enough. It didn't go far enough with that stuff so it ended up just being blah.
29
I don't care how plucky and resilient a person you are, you're going to a bit more physically and emotionally affected by your teenage pregnancy than Juno was. The movie was funny in parts, though.
30
Here's something interesting after reading your post Dan - - I recall when Juno starting picking up steam (read, hyped) the print ad went from a sad looking Juno with a face saying "WTF am I going to do?" to a smiley face Juno saying "Cute movie about teen pregnancy with happy ending!". Fuck this movie with its "message" specifically teens fuck and get pregnant but all can be ok if you have some baby fantasy on the receiving end.
Lastly, are we really talking about this now? Speaking of overrated movies, rent "Crash" with Matt Dillon and a ton of other folks. WORST BEST PICTURE EVER!
Lastly, are we really talking about this now? Speaking of overrated movies, rent "Crash" with Matt Dillon and a ton of other folks. WORST BEST PICTURE EVER!
31
Juno is a straight up bitch. How come no one notices that? She treats everyone she meets with contempt and freely criticizes whomever she pleases without even knowing them. Meanwhile she treats anything that is serious or important as a joke, including the people in her life. This is a movie about a 16 year old girl who thinks she knows everything about life and...surprise...she does. She doesn't have to grow up emotionally or mentally as long as she has a long list of catchy sayings and pop culture references.
And by the way, its "Thundercats...HO!", not "Thundercats are go!"
And by the way, its "Thundercats...HO!", not "Thundercats are go!"
33
@13, 6, and 4:
I'm getting a mini-podium for my fish tank this Christmas. It will be CJ-tastic.
I just had to share with anyone who understood the West Wing insanity.
Sorry, end hijack.
I'm getting a mini-podium for my fish tank this Christmas. It will be CJ-tastic.
I just had to share with anyone who understood the West Wing insanity.
Sorry, end hijack.
34
the hype is always way out of proportion. i thought it was a cute, thoughtful, entertaining film that was really real in many ways with lots of simple, human moments.
as for everyone stating it was a republican/pro-life vehicle - PLEASE! do you understand the concept of CHOICE? i do - and it means that sometimes women choose abortion and sometimes they choose to keep their babies and sometimes they choose to give birth and give the baby up. being pro-choice is not about being pro-abortion. it's about allowing a woman to make whatever decision she has - it's about options - every woman deserves as many options as possible when it comes to pregnancy and every woman deserves the right to make whatever choice she chooses without people from either side screaming at and condemning her.
a cute little indie film.
then again - to be fair - i had the same exact reaction to napoleon dynamite. total waste of my time. pure stupidity.
as for everyone stating it was a republican/pro-life vehicle - PLEASE! do you understand the concept of CHOICE? i do - and it means that sometimes women choose abortion and sometimes they choose to keep their babies and sometimes they choose to give birth and give the baby up. being pro-choice is not about being pro-abortion. it's about allowing a woman to make whatever decision she has - it's about options - every woman deserves as many options as possible when it comes to pregnancy and every woman deserves the right to make whatever choice she chooses without people from either side screaming at and condemning her.
a cute little indie film.
then again - to be fair - i had the same exact reaction to napoleon dynamite. total waste of my time. pure stupidity.
35
Dan Savage is just kinda out of touch with the demographic that the movie was aimed at; the dialogue was meant to infer that teen coloquialisms have gotten to the point of absurdity. No one I now says "wizard," but it doesn't mean that some dufus teen like Ellen page's charachter was unbelievable when saying it. Old poeple like Mr. Savage should stay away from those movies like Nick and Norahs stupid playlist and Juno. While were on the subject hasn't the Stranger newspaper itself done the same thing as Juno and put itself into a super niche corner and alienated say ninety-eight percent of Seattle's population; which is probably even more extrememe of a niche than Juno. Anyways, Jason Bateman and Jennifer Gardner's storyline saved that movie from being too "teen." PS I love Dan Savage and I am in the two percent, so don't get the wrong idea here.
36
@22, Citizen Ruth, mebbe? Not for everyone, of course. Matt @27, it's fun to read you hate all over Kimya when her banner ad is at the top of the Slog today.
37
I didn't think it was that bad. @20, I think you missed the point there -- the relationship between the dad and the pregnant girl was presented as an impossibility. The whole point of dad's character was the way he almost cottoned on to how stupid he was being, but couldn't quite get there. It certainly wasn't suggesting that he could still seem hip to teens; quite the opposite, that he was ultimately delusional and inappropriate, but too stupid to see it.
39
i usually text my best friends during movies i think they'll like. the only text i sent in juno was "sean from degrassi the next generation is in this shit!"
40
I thought it was entertaining. And I thought the soundtrack was fun (synonym for 'entertaining'). Not every movie has to be the epic pinnacle of awesome to be worthwhile.
42
Because apparently everyone is way, way cooler than this movie. I agree that Kimya Dawson can get bent, though. What the fuck is "anti-folk?"
44
Stopped watching about 15 minutes in. I was already tired of cringing. But I'm still glad that a stripper won the Best Screenplay Oscar. Even for this.
45
@ 30. Actually, Titanic is the worst best picture ever. I think Crash gets a bad rap. Sure it can be cheesy at times, but it's got a perspective on racism in America that could really only be seen by a Canadian living in the US (thank you, Paul Haggis). Every ex-Canadian I know (myself included) thought it was brilliant.
As for Juno, no it's not a BRILLIANT movie, but I certainly wouldn't call it a Republican Recruitment tool. I would hope that even the most pro-CHOICE (choice being the operative word) of people wouldn't throw around abortions like they're candy. They can be very difficult for the mother (or almost-mother, rather) and the people around her. And it's not as if Juno didn't seriously consider the option.
Anyway, what's cool about that movie is that it's a dumb teen movie that's not actually as dumb as most teen movies, and it has a female protagonist who actually has some character depth. I'd rather my kid watch that than Legally Blonde.
As for Juno, no it's not a BRILLIANT movie, but I certainly wouldn't call it a Republican Recruitment tool. I would hope that even the most pro-CHOICE (choice being the operative word) of people wouldn't throw around abortions like they're candy. They can be very difficult for the mother (or almost-mother, rather) and the people around her. And it's not as if Juno didn't seriously consider the option.
Anyway, what's cool about that movie is that it's a dumb teen movie that's not actually as dumb as most teen movies, and it has a female protagonist who actually has some character depth. I'd rather my kid watch that than Legally Blonde.
46
DOUG @24: You waited too long to see it, Dan. It was a nice little movie, not Citizen Kane. (I did the same thing with Sideways.)
I still haven't watched Citizen Kane. Is it too late for me?
I still haven't watched Citizen Kane. Is it too late for me?
47
Totally unfucking believable storyline. A working musician who writes jingles for a living, lives in a pristine white home with his perfect wife and who says Daydream Nation is his favorite album of all time.
48
Why weren't you warned?
To be honest, I didn't think you'd have any interest in seeing it. But next time, when I see a film and think "Dan Savage would absolutely HATE that movie", I'll drop an email to warn you.
To be honest, I didn't think you'd have any interest in seeing it. But next time, when I see a film and think "Dan Savage would absolutely HATE that movie", I'll drop an email to warn you.
50
It's supposed to be ironic and self-mocking, it's not supposed to be a documentary. I thought it should have won best picture.
51
Regarding Juno: I almost left during the opening credits...In hindsight, I wish I had...
but Crash is even worse.
And here's how you watch Titanic...Fast forward through the first couple hours, pausing now and again to admire the realistic and beautifully done sets and costumes and how lovely Kate Winslet looks. When you get to the actual sinking part of the film, start watching; at that point, James Cameron does what he does best, action adventure.
but Crash is even worse.
And here's how you watch Titanic...Fast forward through the first couple hours, pausing now and again to admire the realistic and beautifully done sets and costumes and how lovely Kate Winslet looks. When you get to the actual sinking part of the film, start watching; at that point, James Cameron does what he does best, action adventure.
52
Citizen Kane is overrated. No movie could live up to the ammount of praise heaped upon that film.
What bugged me about Juno is the adoptive parents. The man went from 2 dimensional goodguy to 2 dimensional badguy, and the wife did the opposite. Booorriing!
Also I feel sorry for the kid. Anybody that can get that worked up about the color of paint in a baby's room needs to put aside a fund to pay for a lifetime of therapy for the baby. Learn some perspective. Wall color is not what's important in life.
What bugged me about Juno is the adoptive parents. The man went from 2 dimensional goodguy to 2 dimensional badguy, and the wife did the opposite. Booorriing!
Also I feel sorry for the kid. Anybody that can get that worked up about the color of paint in a baby's room needs to put aside a fund to pay for a lifetime of therapy for the baby. Learn some perspective. Wall color is not what's important in life.
54
@22 - How about "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" - an abortion was clearly her right choice and she ended up fine. Bigger problem was one-shot-wonder standing her up for the ride to the clinic.
Great flick - and remember, our own Cameron Crowe's very first script (Hey - he married into Heart - he counts).
As to Juno - meh - so so. Surprised at the fuss here. Tunes were interesting though.
Great flick - and remember, our own Cameron Crowe's very first script (Hey - he married into Heart - he counts).
As to Juno - meh - so so. Surprised at the fuss here. Tunes were interesting though.
57
Dan,
The reason Juno was over-hyped was because the Mormons, the blacks, the old, the religious, the latinos, the dumb, and the poor all conspired to get a positive word-of-mouth campaign out about the movie....
Bastards!
The reason Juno was over-hyped was because the Mormons, the blacks, the old, the religious, the latinos, the dumb, and the poor all conspired to get a positive word-of-mouth campaign out about the movie....
Bastards!
59
Personally, I loved the movie, and it's not just cause it was filmed in my old stomping grounds.
Look, Dan, it's a str8 thing. We don't expect you to get it. It's also kind of a world-weary view on life and coping that is kind of the norm nowadays (or was until Obama) for most young breeders.
K?
Just smile indulgently at us as we rave about it.
Cause it's great!
Look, Dan, it's a str8 thing. We don't expect you to get it. It's also kind of a world-weary view on life and coping that is kind of the norm nowadays (or was until Obama) for most young breeders.
K?
Just smile indulgently at us as we rave about it.
Cause it's great!
60
"Juno" is an interesting movie. The very hyped "Rachel Getting Married" is indeed a better movie in nearly every respect, but I'd still rather re-watch the massively, intensely flawed "Juno" again.
The biggest flaw is that Cody thinks she wrote a movie about a pregnant teen. Even beyond the hipster dialogue, t's a terrible portrait of adolescence and it's a terrible portrait of teenage pregancy. But it IS a good portrait of an awkward love triangle between an unhappily married couple and a teenager. The last half very nearly salvages the film, but doesn't quite make it.
I understand why people are upset that there's no movie that makes abortion look like a good and sane choice, but Jesus, people, most people still have ethical issues with abortion even if they have no legal issues with it. Cody deliberately made the pro-life activist an idiot Chinese stereotype girl rather than someone with any relation to reality precisely so that she could avoid being labeled a pro-lifer.
The biggest flaw is that Cody thinks she wrote a movie about a pregnant teen. Even beyond the hipster dialogue, t's a terrible portrait of adolescence and it's a terrible portrait of teenage pregancy. But it IS a good portrait of an awkward love triangle between an unhappily married couple and a teenager. The last half very nearly salvages the film, but doesn't quite make it.
I understand why people are upset that there's no movie that makes abortion look like a good and sane choice, but Jesus, people, most people still have ethical issues with abortion even if they have no legal issues with it. Cody deliberately made the pro-life activist an idiot Chinese stereotype girl rather than someone with any relation to reality precisely so that she could avoid being labeled a pro-lifer.
61
I bought Juno without actually seeing it because, from everything I was told, I would like it. I found it really boring and the dialogue coming out of Juno's mouth felt unreal. I would still give it three stars because everyone else in the film were excellent.
I still own it and will watch it again. Maybe it will grow on me. I hated Bottle Rocket when it came out and now I love it.
I still own it and will watch it again. Maybe it will grow on me. I hated Bottle Rocket when it came out and now I love it.
63
Teen chicks b crazy yet rational -- that's the message.
The best part is the sketchy dad-to-be -- he radiates insincerity from the get-go. You know he thinks that even though he's twice her age, he's cool enough to persuade Juno to attempt superfoetation -- what would be the harm, he'd be thinking. Delusional and inappropriate -- that's the guy.
They live in the big house because her parents bought it for them, and she makes a good salary.
The best part is the sketchy dad-to-be -- he radiates insincerity from the get-go. You know he thinks that even though he's twice her age, he's cool enough to persuade Juno to attempt superfoetation -- what would be the harm, he'd be thinking. Delusional and inappropriate -- that's the guy.
They live in the big house because her parents bought it for them, and she makes a good salary.
64
Whatever. I liked it. And I like Kimya Dawson. Not my favorite artist ever, but she's catchy and she's got some really clever lyrics. "Anti-folk" also includes Regina Spektor, and she's totally badass, so don't you dare criticize Kimya on that count.
I agree that Juno's made-up slang world got annoying, but it was all worth it for the storyline with the adoptive parents--which I found at various times hilarious, creepy, and moving.
I agree that Juno's made-up slang world got annoying, but it was all worth it for the storyline with the adoptive parents--which I found at various times hilarious, creepy, and moving.
65
I liked the hamburger phone, simply because it's a piece of shit which doesn't work right -- the first (and, arguably, only) indication of cracks in Juno's hipster armor.
66
@60: "idiot chinese stereotype girl"? I think I know what you meant, but I don't think you came across properly.
But yeah. That's actually a solid argument against the hipster canon of Anderson/S. Coppola/Jonze etc.: the consistent use of non-whites in general (and asians in particular) as the exoticized "other."
But yeah. That's actually a solid argument against the hipster canon of Anderson/S. Coppola/Jonze etc.: the consistent use of non-whites in general (and asians in particular) as the exoticized "other."
67
I hear ya, Dan. I liked Juno. I liked it a lot. I own it. I may watch it from time to time. But I didn't LOOOOOOOVVVVVVEEEEEE Juno. I also own Revenge of the Nerds, but don't think it was the greatest film of all time. I'll watch both, enjoy both, and then promptly forget both. That is where that movie belongs in the hearts of viewers.
68
@66 - but is that just American eyes looking at a film from Canada (in the multi-ethnic society that is the Lower Mainland other than the freaks in the former farmlands) and seeing non-whites as "other"?
I mean, seriously, sometimes it's like you don't get that people just 3 hours north of you grew up with 4-5 different ethnic groups all mixed together and just don't think anything about it ... unlike here (mostly).
I mean, seriously, sometimes it's like you don't get that people just 3 hours north of you grew up with 4-5 different ethnic groups all mixed together and just don't think anything about it ... unlike here (mostly).
69
@36 That's how I know her name!! I'm sure she's a wonderful person, but her singing makes me want to kick a puppy.
70
P.S.
@34 - Here, here. Loved the point that 'Pro-Choice' can mean choosing to keep the baby (either forever, or giving it up for adoption). I am an extremely liberal minded, pro-gay, anti-gun, NDP voting (Canada), atheistic, all around leftist sort of guy. And I have been a long time Pro-choicer. But lately I've come to question those beliefs. It's a personaly choice, and I'm still not 100% on it. I need to put more thought into it. But something I do believe is that abortion is all too often used as a form of birth control, and that I do believe is wrong. There are times when I believe abortion is the right choice, but more often I think it is wrong. It's an arugument that rages on in my own brain.
The point I wanted to make, is that I didn't see Juno, in any way at all, as anti abortion, simply because she decided to not get an abortion.
Sorry, I've gone off on a tangent. Excuse me.
@34 - Here, here. Loved the point that 'Pro-Choice' can mean choosing to keep the baby (either forever, or giving it up for adoption). I am an extremely liberal minded, pro-gay, anti-gun, NDP voting (Canada), atheistic, all around leftist sort of guy. And I have been a long time Pro-choicer. But lately I've come to question those beliefs. It's a personaly choice, and I'm still not 100% on it. I need to put more thought into it. But something I do believe is that abortion is all too often used as a form of birth control, and that I do believe is wrong. There are times when I believe abortion is the right choice, but more often I think it is wrong. It's an arugument that rages on in my own brain.
The point I wanted to make, is that I didn't see Juno, in any way at all, as anti abortion, simply because she decided to not get an abortion.
Sorry, I've gone off on a tangent. Excuse me.
72
Juno's change of heart about abortion was easier to take (though unbelievable) then the chick in Knocked Up's not getting an abortion. I could not finish Knocked Up because it was SO unrealistic. It *was* written by a guy, right?
And you can't really do adoption and be a conservative. The conservative soon-to-be-grandparents start going off on how "It's blood of your blood and you can't give it away!" and so the conservatives secretly abort while the liberals have the option of putting unwanted babies up for adoption.
And you can't really do adoption and be a conservative. The conservative soon-to-be-grandparents start going off on how "It's blood of your blood and you can't give it away!" and so the conservatives secretly abort while the liberals have the option of putting unwanted babies up for adoption.
73
And Dan, did you really mean to post about Juno on the Catholic holy day of the Immaculate Conception (where Mary, not Jesus, was conceived without sin. Amen)? It would've been better on Jesus' conception day, true, but this is second best.
74
The "pork swords" made the movie for my wife, being married to a runner whose pork sword bouncing away often embarrasses her.
Both parents were great.
Jason Batemen's character is entertaining. What bothered me most is that Juno is played to be so smart, knew where things we're going with Batemen, then acted so surprised when it did. Not that Batemen wasn't wrong or that her not accepting the move was out of character, just that she suddenly turned to mush.
I've heard that 2009 is going to be the year of the heartwarming abortion movie.
Both parents were great.
Jason Batemen's character is entertaining. What bothered me most is that Juno is played to be so smart, knew where things we're going with Batemen, then acted so surprised when it did. Not that Batemen wasn't wrong or that her not accepting the move was out of character, just that she suddenly turned to mush.
I've heard that 2009 is going to be the year of the heartwarming abortion movie.
78
@70: I don't think Juno is anti-abortion. But saying "But something I do believe is that abortion is all too often used as a form of birth control, and that I do believe is wrong" implies that it's commonly presented as not being that. Especially in the media.
In what movies have you ever seen abortion depicted as the choice made?
Not Juno.
Not Knocked Up.
Not Geena Davis in Angie (1994).
The horror of women forced to seek illegal abortions is portrayed in 4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days. Even that is hardly abortion cheerleading. And it's hardly a mainstream movie.
Fast Times at Ridgemont High is the best handling of it in a mainstream movie that I've seen.
70 wrote: "But something I do believe is that abortion is all too often used as a form of birth control, and that I do believe is wrong."
To which I call bullshit. Not among any of the women I am close to who have had abortions.
In what movies have you ever seen abortion depicted as the choice made?
Not Juno.
Not Knocked Up.
Not Geena Davis in Angie (1994).
The horror of women forced to seek illegal abortions is portrayed in 4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days. Even that is hardly abortion cheerleading. And it's hardly a mainstream movie.
Fast Times at Ridgemont High is the best handling of it in a mainstream movie that I've seen.
70 wrote: "But something I do believe is that abortion is all too often used as a form of birth control, and that I do believe is wrong."
To which I call bullshit. Not among any of the women I am close to who have had abortions.
79
Sheezus fucking Christ...Juno was a fucking TERRIBLE movie...genetically engineered to strike all those 'quirky' yet 'heartwarming' chords....
It's a fucking 'indie' movie for people who like blockbusters
and that Kimya Dawson...Moldy Peaches bullshit is for the fucking birds too
It's a fucking 'indie' movie for people who like blockbusters
and that Kimya Dawson...Moldy Peaches bullshit is for the fucking birds too
80
@70
On abortion as "birth control":
If you've ever had an abortion, or helped someone through one, you would know that it is NOT a pleasant experience. You either have to induce a horrible cramping period to flush the fetus out, or have it sucked out of you during a medical procedure. Both methods can have side effects. For many people even going the clinic can be a potentially embarrassing and damaging experience, especially if they have to contend with anti-choice protesters or worry about judgment if family or employers find out.
Anyone who believes women would rather go through an abortion rather then take the pill or use a condom is giving in to anti-choice rhetoric.
I've never seen Juno. Heard it was good though. Maybe I'll rent it one of these days.
On abortion as "birth control":
If you've ever had an abortion, or helped someone through one, you would know that it is NOT a pleasant experience. You either have to induce a horrible cramping period to flush the fetus out, or have it sucked out of you during a medical procedure. Both methods can have side effects. For many people even going the clinic can be a potentially embarrassing and damaging experience, especially if they have to contend with anti-choice protesters or worry about judgment if family or employers find out.
Anyone who believes women would rather go through an abortion rather then take the pill or use a condom is giving in to anti-choice rhetoric.
I've never seen Juno. Heard it was good though. Maybe I'll rent it one of these days.
82
@68:
You make a valid point (although I take issue with "Just three hours north" - It's like you assumed I was born in Seattle and grew up here my whole life).
But even taking that into consideration, the option was there to depict a more "multi-ethnic society that is the lower mainland," and instead for the most part there's that one asian girl, and that kid who's friends with paulie on the track team...and...yeah. I could probably find a more "multi-ethnic society" in an all-boys catholic high school.
You make a valid point (although I take issue with "Just three hours north" - It's like you assumed I was born in Seattle and grew up here my whole life).
But even taking that into consideration, the option was there to depict a more "multi-ethnic society that is the lower mainland," and instead for the most part there's that one asian girl, and that kid who's friends with paulie on the track team...and...yeah. I could probably find a more "multi-ethnic society" in an all-boys catholic high school.
83
@68 and 82-- having lived in vancouver for three years (age 18-21) and california and oregon for the rest of my life; i found vancouver and surrounding area to be WAY more race-conscious and segregated than anywhere i've ever been in the states. ESPECIALLY with the asian community there. I found that place incredibly divided and have never felt quite such an uncomfortable "we are different than you and are actively making you aware of it" vibe than that between white people and asians up there.
84
Sorry peeps, to this straight, young woman, JUNO BLEW, and badly. Dan was 200% right on this.
If I had made this movie it would have been a couple of hours following an exhausted, emotional, bloated young girl scrambling for money and making many many phone calls to arrange an abortion (like the 4000 women who do this every day in the US) going to the clinic and fighting through the few assholes outside, then going home crampy and vomiting from morphine to sit on her bed and smoke a joint with her girls and have a good cry. Reality check people! Unplanned pregnancy when your young=not hip, not cute, not fun, often unsupported or unknown by parents and the 'sountrack' is actually, um, worry and having to negotiate the rest of your life.
If I had made this movie it would have been a couple of hours following an exhausted, emotional, bloated young girl scrambling for money and making many many phone calls to arrange an abortion (like the 4000 women who do this every day in the US) going to the clinic and fighting through the few assholes outside, then going home crampy and vomiting from morphine to sit on her bed and smoke a joint with her girls and have a good cry. Reality check people! Unplanned pregnancy when your young=not hip, not cute, not fun, often unsupported or unknown by parents and the 'sountrack' is actually, um, worry and having to negotiate the rest of your life.
86
It's a horrible movie. It tries way too hard and fails miserably. People have dreadful taste in movies and I'm sorry we both wasted our time seeing it. Blerg.
87
Oh! One more thing. That much Sunny D would have almost certainly caused a miscarriage. Vitamin C in massive quantities changes the pH of the body, which will end a pregnancy tout de suite.
88
Lauren,
Knowing that the movie was about a girl with an unwanted pregnancy, I actually was wondering if she was trying to induce miscarriage by making herself sick off OJ.
To all those who demand a more realistic unwanted-pregnancy movie, write your own damn scripts. I bet someone recommended this movie to Dan because they thought he would be enthused about a young woman who can't handle childrearing opting to have her baby adopted instead of aborted.
Some people have nice guys who knock them up, and at least one supportive parent (remember that Juno's bio-mom ditched her, but at least she got a good stepmom), and at least one supportive friend. People like that are in a situation where choosing to birth and give up a baby to which they don't feel emotionally connected might actually be less traumatic than choosing an abortion. I don't understand why there are so many comments from people appalled by the idea that a 16-year-old would choose not to abort.
Although SO AGREED with the people confused by the woman in "Knocked Up" who didn't abort. Paulie was an astronomically better potential dad than Seth Rogan's character was.
Knowing that the movie was about a girl with an unwanted pregnancy, I actually was wondering if she was trying to induce miscarriage by making herself sick off OJ.
To all those who demand a more realistic unwanted-pregnancy movie, write your own damn scripts. I bet someone recommended this movie to Dan because they thought he would be enthused about a young woman who can't handle childrearing opting to have her baby adopted instead of aborted.
Some people have nice guys who knock them up, and at least one supportive parent (remember that Juno's bio-mom ditched her, but at least she got a good stepmom), and at least one supportive friend. People like that are in a situation where choosing to birth and give up a baby to which they don't feel emotionally connected might actually be less traumatic than choosing an abortion. I don't understand why there are so many comments from people appalled by the idea that a 16-year-old would choose not to abort.
Although SO AGREED with the people confused by the woman in "Knocked Up" who didn't abort. Paulie was an astronomically better potential dad than Seth Rogan's character was.
89
48 for the win.
As a father of a 13 year old daughter, I appreciated that Juno portrayed a positive father-daughter relationship.
As a father of a 13 year old daughter, I appreciated that Juno portrayed a positive father-daughter relationship.
91
I think Coach Carter had a character abort a baby and made it seem like the right thing but I could be wrong. I've only caught the end of that movie on TV and maybe I misunderstood a conversation between two characters.
Also, didn't Dirty Dancing have an abortion in it? Yes, the abortion went bad and Lenny from Law and Order had to save the girl's life, but that was because the woman went to some back alley place. Again, I've never seen the whole movie all the way through (and dear god, I hope I never have to) but that's what I remember from seeing bits and pieces.
Also, didn't Dirty Dancing have an abortion in it? Yes, the abortion went bad and Lenny from Law and Order had to save the girl's life, but that was because the woman went to some back alley place. Again, I've never seen the whole movie all the way through (and dear god, I hope I never have to) but that's what I remember from seeing bits and pieces.
Advertisement
Most Commented on Slog
-
Hating People Doesn't Make Them Thinner by Jen Graves
-
Los Angeles Gay Bar Bans Bachelorette Parties Until Marriage Equality Is Attained by David Schmader
-
Fill in the Blank by Grant Brissey
-
This Reminds Me of the Great Calculator Scare of the Late '70s/Early '80s by David Schmader
-
Idiot Tries to Defend Bigoted Anti-Gay-Marriage Preacher on Anderson Cooper by Paul Constant
-
SL Letter of the Day: Putting It In by Dan Savage
-
Six Moms with Too Much Time on Their Hands and a Shitty Website Decide to Fight Gay Superheroes by Paul Constant
-
Why Mayor McGinn's Wife Canceled Her Family's Seattle Times Subscription by Eli Sanders
-
What the Hell Is Wrong With Seattle's Pride Parade? by Dominic Holden
-
Meet the UW "Swagga Suit" by David Schmader
RSS
Facebook
Twitter
Comments (92) RSS