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First of all, let me state the obvious: "Juno" is a very funny, very clever movie. But the post-modern ironic detachment that all the characters (save Paulie, Mark, and Vanessa) exhibit sucks the soul from the film.
The acting is very good, the direction is competent (if very consciously indie), but the screenwriter doesn't give each character their own voice. With the exception of the three mentioned above, all the character's dialogue seem drawn from the same hipster well, with always just the right witty barb on hand to combat any creeping signs of real heart or emotion.
Also, the claim that "Juno" courageously tackles politically sensitive subjects is overblown. The abortion question is dodged with a throw-away line about fingernails. Teen sex is just a plot device, neither glorified, damned, or much addressed at all except as a recurring gag on Paulie's competence (or lack thereof) "in chair."
Even with all the unjustified hype, it's hard to dislike the film, though, mostly because, as I said at the start of this review, it's so terribly clever. It's worth several viewings, but I wouldn't put it on par with "Ghost World", let alone "Rushmore" or "The Squid and the Whale" as far as coming of age films go.
7/10
