Readers come to praise 'Juno,' not to bury it
Dear Dann: I just read your observations concerning the movie "Juno." I make reference to "...the liveliest-written, bluntly pro-choice movie I've seen." Friends who have seen it and I came to the conclusion that the movie might more accurately be seen as pro-life. If I'm not mistaken, the argument of pro-choicers is typically along the lines of it's OK to have an abortion. Not only OK, but inherently a women's choice to choose abortion over life. Juno is on her way to the abortion clinic, which is depicted as a disgusting, crude, unfriendly, cold, brutal place. Juno leaves and decides to keep the baby and put it up for adoption to everyone's approval. And, if you interpret her action then and at the end of the film as the better choice, isn't it "bluntly" pro-life?
-- John Blasucci
John: I would argue that Juno herself is pro-life, but her movie is pro-choice. Juno is the one who decides to have sexual intercourse. Juno is the one who decides to abort the fetus. In a startling reversal, Juno is the one who decides to have her baby. Then she selects the couple she wants to adopt her baby. Her boyfriend, the government, the church and even her parents have no input or control over Juno's decisions.
The brilliance of Diablo Cody's screenplay lies in how it incorporates the best of both worlds: Juno is free to choose, and she ultimately chooses to have her baby -- fingernails and all.
Dear Dann: I saw your top 10 list and I completely agree with "Juno" as No. 1. I thought it was a terrific movie in every way. I would love to see Ellen Page win the Oscar for her terrific performance. The dialogue was great, and I agree that it was a very moral film.
-- Gary Koca, Streamwood
Gary: Who am I to argue with your obvious good taste?