Movie Review: Juno

There seems to be an unofficial rule in Hollywood that every year a small, unassuming indie movie does battle with the big budget goliaths for box office and Oscar success. Last year it was Little Miss Sunshine, and this year it falls upon the slender shoulders of Juno.

This witty comedy drama is the surprise fifth Oscar nominee for Best Picture this year, and more than holds its own against its more high profile rivals. It's the story of a 16-year-old girl from a small town, who upon the discovery that she has fallen pregnant decides she must find more responsible parents for her as-yet unborn child...

There is something insufferably smug about much American indie comedy drama – plot-free movies featuring quirky characters trading in face-slappingly witty dialogue.

Luckily, Juno avoids becoming this type of film for a couple of reasons. Director Jason Reitman and stripper-turned-writer Diablo Cody fill their film with memorable characters, but by focusing on one hugely engaging girl and her worries, they never let the quirky style overwhelm the drama. And most importantly, Ellen Page gives a performance every bit deserving of her Best Actress nomination. Those of you who saw her tormenting a suspected paedophile in 2006's Hard Candy will know of her acting chops, and happily there's no psychological torture or mock-castration here...

Juno's cast is filled out by Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman as the prospective adopters of Juno's baby, plus JK Simmons playing a more kindly variation on his fearsome Spiderman newspaper boss. This is very much a film driven by its characters rather than its plot, but although virtually every character learns some sort of "life lesson" during the nine months the movie covers, it never feels forced. Juno might not be weighty enough to triumph at the Oscars, but give me this little gem over 100 Atonements any day of the week.

If smart indie comedy isn't your idea of a great night out then check out our other reviews on this Oscar-nomination heavy week; Best Picture and Best Actor nominee There Will Be Blood and Best Director nominee The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.