FINALLY, got to be the last person on the planet to see Juno last night.
I loved it. I fully expected to love it, and that’s always a strange feeling walking out of the theater. However, I’m surprised there I’ve not been more discussion of the male characters in the film. At three different points in the movie I looked at Michael Cera, J.K. Simmons, and Jason Bateman and thought, “They have a weird part in this story.” All three were genuine, all three were well written and acted, and yet at the end all three seem pretty superfluous to the actual plot. We never really learn what makes Michael Cera perfect for Juno, J.K. Simmons’ character never really rises above being the “aloof father,” and Jason Bateman’s plot kind of felt like a hanging thread. These aren’t criticisms just interesting (to me anyway) things I picked up on while watching.
Anybody else pick up on any of this?
Finally getting over the sinus infection that’s kept me couch-ridden and starting to get back to the writing grind…just in time for class to start on Monday. Wooh…
Hey PJ! I found your blog. I didn’t know.
J.K. Simmons (especially) was incredible in Juno. You thought he was aloof? I thought he had a very warm and kind moment with Juno towards the end. He was accepting and supportive throughout, if not possessing a certain wry wit about the overall situation.
I thought he was great (as usual) as well. Perhaps “aloof” isn’t the right word. I felt there was definitely a naive aspect of his character. He was definitely a good father, but I don’t know…something about the male characters in the movie just seemed strange to me and I haven’t been able to figure out what exactly that is. Still loved the movie. Still loved Michael Cera, Jason Bateman, and J.K.
Michael Cera. He’s so hot right now. Michael Cera.*
*Zoolander reference.
I believe all of the characters in the movie, save Juno of course, are written in a manner that makes them seem like visitors into the plot. There was no delving into the inner psyche’s of Jennifer Gardner and Allison Janney to discover their motivations or their thoughts on the situation. The intent, I suppose, is to retain the focus of what Juno is going through.
Sorry, I’m no film student and I just read your blog/not-a-blog while following multitudinous comic book links, but thought that I’d comment. Cheers!