Juno

It isn’t often that a romantic comedy comes along with as much originality, vitality, and biting satire as screenwriter Diablo Cody’s wickedly funny "Juno." The irrepressible Ellen Page ("Hard Candy") plays Juno MacGuff, a cynical and quick-witted teenager who gets pregnant during her first sexual encounter. Juno’s would-be boyfriend Paulie (Michael Cera) takes a torch-carrying backseat to Juno’s troubles as she sets out to find a couple to adopt her unborn baby after being scared off from getting an abortion. Enter picture-perfect suburban couple Mark and Vanessa (Justin Bateman and Jennifer Garner) who are seemingly pleased-as-punch at the prospect of raising Juno’s tiny offspring. The dialogue is punchy to a fault, but the movie adds up to a near-perfect mix of laughs and romantic authenticity. The soundtrack is awesome and director Jason Reitman ("Thank You For Smoking") wisely lets the material and his gifted cast work their magic unfettered. This is one damn clever movie that hits you in the head, heart and funny bone.

Rated PG-13. 96 mins. (A-) (Four Stars)