Dear Rocky,
Juno is one of those films where it seems to me that every word spoken is perfectly chosen and placed. Such intelligent writing. Well done Diablo Cody.
The relationship I have chosen to focus on in this film is that between Mark (Jason Bateman) and Vanessa (Jennifer Garner), probably for more reasons than one....
Here we have the stereotypical relationship between the controlling female and the boy who refuses to become a man. I'm not sure whose side we are supposed to take, but I took Mark's.
Mark appears to have been castrated by Vanessa. Gone are his dreams of being a serious musician and in their place are twin sets and nursery paint colours. At times, she is positively cruel in her mocking of his ambivalence about parenthood.
But that's just it really. What gives one human being the right to decide when another human being should be ready to reproduce? Wouldn't it be wonderful if in every relationship that desire or readiness to have a child occurred at exactly the same time for both parents? But how often does that actually happen? How often is one partner coerced by the other before they are truly ready? How does that turn out for couples?
In this movie, while Vanessa and Mark didn't make the distance, Vanessa did end up with Juno's baby and became a more likeable character for it. Our initial sympathy for Mark is supposed to disappear when he almost crosses the line with Juno, but for me it didn't really.....
But, that's another relationship worth exploring in another post....
I give Juno an 8.5/10.
What about you Rocky? Read Rocky's review here.
Jodie
Dear Jodie! I've thought about the relationships in this movie in so many ways, but not once in the way you've described it! You'll read my review where I compare myself with Paulie, and that's true. 40 years ago, I was shy to a fault and unable to be as interesting than my shadow! But so, too, have I always been Mark, the poster boy of the Peter Pan complex! I've never seen myself as sympathetic, only one selfish soul who indulges his whims and caprices when he can afford them. Thank you so much for this new insight. I never would have considered it, had I not read it from you. You are truly brilliant!
ReplyDeleteHaha Rocky, you would say my shopping list was brilliant! PS I think where you are toooooooooo kind to me you are equally hard on yourself.....
DeleteOh my gosh I loved this movie...every single thing that happened and word said! Right down to the cheeseburger phone!
ReplyDeleteAndrea - I forgot to mention the cheeseburger phone!!
DeleteCool theme, to review movies for the a-z. I did not see The Hours, but loved the others you've discussed. have you seen Mama Mia? Silly, but fun. I love Streep. I'm popping in from the a-z. We're only 10 days in, and my brain is getting a bit fried! I'm already a follower here...have you ever visited my blog? :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Marianne, thanks for stopping by. I'm the same as you, very brain fried! I have checked out your blog and loved your last post - I sent you a comment. I LOVED Mama Mia!!! Good luck for the next week!
DeleteGood analysis of this relationship. I think it might have been more complex than "taking a side," rather Juno picking the person who wanted it more to raise her baby. Love the background for the blog.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely Evan - can you even imagine the things you'd need to consider when making that choice?? No doubt Vanessa was the best man for that job. Looking forward to catching up on your blog. Jodie
DeleteLove the theme. Just found you via A to Z Challenge. I've seen "Juno" once and loved the movie. It's so well crafted. For much of history, it's women who have taken the submissive role, to no small extent because we had no choice. So I tend not to be particularly sympathetic to men under the control of women as I think they have more agency than women have had. I'll put "Juno" on my rewatch list so I can think about the hierarchy more.
ReplyDeleteWhat Glenda, that's a really interesting point you raised, I hadn't considered that. Let me know when you've re-watched it. Maybe you could write a Dear Jodie/Dear Rocky post about it!
DeleteSorry, that should say Wow not What Glenda!
Delete