Teenage pregnancy is generally no laughing matter, or at least that was the de facto societal stance until Jason Reitman (Thank You For Smoking) directed Juno. Thanks to this little film, it is clear that pregnancy can be an educational albeit occasionally emotional lark for any self-possessed, hyper intelligent teen.

Ok Ok, so Juno was actually pretty great. Wee little Ellen Page plays Juno MacGuff, a working class 16-year-old blessed with the sharp wits of a Hollywood script writer. You see, Juno has been impregnated by her dorky best friend Paulie Bleeker, played by none other than Michael Cera. The tale unfolds around the result of the pairs first and only experimental sexual encounter.

After opting against abortion, Juno admits her situation to her parents who really don't even get angry (this was one of the red flags that inspired the above snarkiness). When she decides to give the child up for adoption to a wealthy suburban couple she finds in a community newspaper, her father happily drives her to their McMansion. There, she encounters Vanessa (Jennifer Garner) and Mark (Jason Bateman) who seek to adopt Juno's unborn. Vanessa, a power suited business woman and primary breadwinner for the couple, is emotionally fragile and desperate to be a mother. Mark on the other hand is a former grunge rocker turned TV commercial jingle writer who is not so certain about adopting or really, about his marriage.

The relationship formed between the punk-rock loving Juno and the wiser older dude Mark is the most compelling of the film. All quivery lipped confusion, Cera is little more than baggage in Juno's voyage, even though he delivers some hilarious deadpan lines. But then again, the film is really not about the cast, it's about the little leading lady who thrives at the centre of a constellation of supporting actors.

So despite the over-written script and a soundtrack that came on a little bit too strong, Juno is more than likely destined for big things. Just don't watch too hard or you may risk frustration.