Juno and Girl Power: Part II

Last week, I delved into the status of Juno MacGuff of 20^th Century Fox’s Juno as an advocate of “girl power”. In class we established that “girl power” status is established by these factors: she rejects boys, is social, is the lead, is complicated, and is “real.”  Last week, I discussed the first two on that list, as seen here:

http://bsupopculture322.blogspot.com/2013/11/juno-and-girl-power-part-i.html

Now, I will discuss the other three factors, again using the version of the script found here:

http://cinemascopian.com/pics/2008oscars/juno.pdf

She is the Lead

Juno is the title character, and her name is mentioned 727 times in the script.

She is Complicated

Throughout the movie, Juno comes across multiple conflicts

One of the most complicated is what to do about her pregnancy.  Juno approaches this large shock very calm, and behind her goofy phrases come a very logical (although not always emotionally connected) step-by-step plan.

After confirming her pregnancy, Juno tells her two closest friends, one of which was involved with the conception (11):  

I strongly believe even just by looking at the words that Juno's apparent nonchalantness is thinly veiling some scarier emotions, especially when looking at her apology as she dismisses herself from the tense situation.

Her next move, after running it by Bleeker with no objections (not that he stands up for himself the whole movie), is to terminate the pregnancy.  At the clinic, she changes her mind.  Much like post-confession Ellen, Juno barely delves into the political issues of her decision. When she tells her friend about her change of mind, she approaches Leah in a flurry.  At that point, she's just an overwhelmed teenager.  She concludes with a decisive: "I'm staying pregnant, Le" (22).

Her next step is to make a new plan, this time finding adoptive parents for the child.  Once a new plan is established, she tells her family.  Again, the political aspect is danced around, with an unsettling (30):

I've never really settled on an interpretation there.  Is Juno uncomfortable with admitting to her change of mind?  Is she afraid her family will pressure her into trying again?  Why can't she admit that was her first idea?  Film critics have looked into it though, and so have critics of film critics:

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20163026,00.html

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/colleen-raezler/2007/12/06/feminist-film-critic-decries-lack-abortion-politics-juno

A line I really liked from the first article is: "Their movie, a blithe charmer balanced somewhere between a life-should-be-so-neat fairy tale and a life's-a-real-b**** tragicomedy, leaves political debate at the ticket counter and focuses solely on what it's like for Juno MacGuff to be Juno MacGuff" (Schwarzbaum 1).

Regardless of politics, we see that Juno's mind is made up.  Although adoption was not her first course, it is now and it's locked in.

Later on, Juno must reconfirm her faith in the adoption, when Mark pulls out of the deal.  She tries to convince him, who counters with, "besides, I don't know if I'm ready to be a father" (82).  OH MAN, FULL CIRCLE!  Juno knows she's not ready, but it torn up by the fact that a grown man can't commit to his decision.  Juno tries to be level-headed and logical about her life, but can't account for the infinite factors life can throw.

She's "Real"

There are so many different things that can make a character feel "real" to viewers.  That's why we've got parasocial relationships and all varieties of all genres.  Especially when aiming towards the teenage demographic, a group known for being hypercritical of their peers, you bet some things are going to come off as dumb to one viewer and genuine to others.

A moment that I found very real is when Juno has a breakdown in her van after leaving Mark and Vanessa's.  Juno's plans have hit a roadblock.  She had taken this unexpected pregnancy and orchestrated a plan to make it go as smooth as possible.  She did not plan on getting pregnant ("Anyways, I'm sorry I had sex with you..."), and she already had a plan before anyone can rub it in her face.  And things were going according to plan until outside factors messed it up.  Juno had been so strong, so rational about everyone going on, but in that scene, she is alone and allows herself to breakdown.

Writer Diablo Cody says of the character, "I wanted to show that these girls were human and not the stereotypical teenage girls we see in the media who are just raging hormonal, catty, image-obsessed b******."  That's from this cute little YouTube gem:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOQO0OzX4Kk

(Oh, Michael Cera....Anyone want to comment about what he says about masculinity in this movie?)

So, in conclusion:  Teenage pregnancy has taken up it's fair share of media attention throughout the 2000's--some positive, some negative.  Whether this marks the media's acceptance of teenage pregnancy into it's realm of reality, or is just capitalizing on it's shoch factor:  Juno's Juno MacGuff gives viewers a thoughtful, determined, fun heroine who I believe puts female power in a positive light.