Juno - directed by Jason Reitman
Sequence 1 [00.00 – 06.00]
Opening Credits -> AUTUMN -> Confirmation of Pregnancy
Characters introduced:
Juno MacGuff, Paulie Bleeker
Literary Genre
[Genre: social reality / coming of age comedy]
1. Describe the style of the opening graphics. What music are you hearing? What might this suggest about the nature of this film?
2. Describe the first image you see, and note the first words.
3. Are motifs, metaphors, images being established?
4. Comment on Juno’s clothes. What do they tell us about her character?
Vision and Viewpoint
[Consider perceptions of: identity, relationships, conflict, marriage, family, friendship, growing up, innocence, youth, love, motherhood, gender, responsibilities, courage]
1. How are characters presented? Look at faces and how they are lit. Note close-up / medium / long shots.
2. Is a theme being introduced in the opening frames, and what approach does the author / director take?
3. Comment on the flashback scene. Is it romantic or seedy in your opinion, and how is this achieved?
4. What is Juno’s first reaction to news of her pregnancy?
Cultural Context
[Minnesota, USA – modern day]
1. What do we learn about the cultural context of the film from this opening sequence?
2. How do we know that unwanted pregnancies are not unusual in this society, and what does this tell us about the world of the text?
Key Quotations:
‘It started with a chair.’
‘I remain unconvinced.’
‘This is one doodle that cannot be undone.’
----------
Sequence 2 [06.00 – 16.40]
Confirmation of Pregnancy -> Introduction to Juno’s family
Characters introduced:
Leah
Literary Genre
[Note: fingernails and music recurring motifs throughout the film]
1. Comment on the mise en scène (props) in Juno’s room and how they contrast to her friend Leah’s room. What does this tell us about the difference in their personalities?
2. What symbolism is used in the scene of the school corridor?
3. Comment on the effectiveness of Juno’s voiceover in the corridor. Why has the director chosen this as a narrative device?
4. Note the use of autumnal colours. How does this compare to ‘The Great Gatsby’?
Vision and Viewpoint
1. How does Juno feel about her relationship with Bleeker? Are you surprised by this match, and why or why not?
2. What satirical comments does Juno make in the voiceover about the college jocks?
3. On the phone to the abortion clinic, how does Juno comically mock the adult world’s perception of adolescence?
4. What are your first impressions of Juno’s family? Do you feel optimistic or pessimistic about them?
Cultural Context
1. What comment by Leah suggests that unwanted pregnancies are not unusual in this society?
2. What is Bleeker’s response to Juno’s news, and what does this suggest about the roles of men and women in Minnesota USA
3. How do the teenagers in school behave towards one another in general, and how is Juno seen to stand out from the crowd?
4. From evidence provided in the opening sequences, in what way(s) do the worlds of ‘Juno’ and ‘The Great Gatsby’ compare and /
or contrast?
Key Quotation:
‘Do whatever you think you should do.’
----------
Sequence 3 [16.40 – 27.00]
Bleeker looking at Yearbook -> Juno telling parents
Characters introduced:
Soo-Chin, Bleeker’s mother, Mac, Brenda
Literary Genre
1. How is Juno’s panic inside the abortion clinic emphasised by the director?
2. What message do Juno’s sunglasses and pipe evoke about her general attitude to her situation?
3. Comment on the mise en scène, the lighting, and Juno’s parents’ body language in the scene where she tells them she is pregnant. What do these codes tell us about the general mood in the house and the relationship between them all?
Vision and Viewpoint
1. Why does Juno change her mind about the abortion?
2. What evidence is there to indicate the strengthening relationship of Juno and Bleeker before the news of the pregnancy?
3. How is Juno’s immaturity shown when scouring the small ads for prospective parents? Is she too easily impressed by what she sees?
4. What is ironic about Leah’s comment regarding the Lorings?
5. The scene ends on a mixed note of sadness and dark comedy. Discuss.
Cultural Context
1. Comment on the use of comedy outside the abortion clinic. Why is Soo-Chin protest grammatically incorrect?
2. Why is Juno surprised by the matter-of-fact tone of the receptionist?
3. How Juno’s parents’ reaction to her news of her pregnancy and her decision to reject abortion? Are you surprised by this?
4. How does Brenda bring a sense of harsh reality to the scene at the end of the sequence?
Key Quotations:
‘I couldn’t do it, Leah … I’m staying pregnant.’
‘She’s just different.’ (Bleeker’s mother about Juno)
‘I don’t really know what kind of girl I am.’
Key Moment: Juno telling her parents about her pregnancy
----------
Sequence 4 [27.00 -> 36.00]
Juno telling parents -> Meeting the Lorings
Characters introduced:
Mark, Vanessa
Literary Genre
1. Comment on the furnishings in the Lorings’ household. What does it say about their lifestyle and relationship from the outset?
2. What is symbolic about the name ‘Juno’?
3. What is the significance of Juno entering Mark’s ‘private space’, and on what level do they connect?
Vision and Viewpoint
Cultural Context
Key Quotations:
‘Let’s talk about how we’re going to do this thing.’ (Mark regarding adoption)
Key Moment: Meeting the Lorings
----------
Sequence 5 [36.00 -> 50.00]
WINTER -> Brenda’s warning to Juno
Literary Genre
1. How does the ultra sound (a visible photograph) change Juno’s perception of her pregnancy, and how is this made evident?
2. Comment on the running motif of fingernails.
3. Comment on Mark’s body language towards Juno. What can we tell about his intentions from this scene?
4. What film do they watch together and how is its theme comically significant?
Vision and Viewpoint
Cultural Context
Key Quotations:
‘In China they give [babies] away like iPods.’
Key Moment: Alone with Mark in house
----------
Sequence 6 [50.00 -> 57.20]
Brenda’s warning to Juno -> SPRING
Literary Genre
1. Comment on Juno and Bleeker’s body language in Bleeker’s room. What message does it convey to the viewer?
2. Examine the mise en scène (props) in Bleeker’s room and the orange tic-tacs. What do they tell us about his character?
3. How does the director effectively use juxtaposition from one scene to another in this sequence?
4. In the baby room, how does the author show conflict (outside of dialogue)?
5. Comment on the use of camerawork in the mall scene.
Vision and Viewpoint
Cultural Context
2. How do the worlds of innocence and experience come face to face in this sequence?
3. How are men and women portrayed differently in this culture?
Key Quotations:
‘I think it’s too early to paint’ [Mark] / ‘I disagree’ [Vanessa]
‘You should read the book. I’ve flagged all the daddy chapters’
‘It’s not kicking for me’
Key Moment: Witnessing Vanessa (“unguarded”) in the mall.
Sequence 1 [00.00 – 06.00]
Opening Credits -> AUTUMN -> Confirmation of Pregnancy
Characters introduced:
Juno MacGuff, Paulie Bleeker
Literary Genre
[Genre: social reality / coming of age comedy]
1. Describe the style of the opening graphics. What music are you hearing? What might this suggest about the nature of this film?
2. Describe the first image you see, and note the first words.
3. Are motifs, metaphors, images being established?
4. Comment on Juno’s clothes. What do they tell us about her character?
Vision and Viewpoint
[Consider perceptions of: identity, relationships, conflict, marriage, family, friendship, growing up, innocence, youth, love, motherhood, gender, responsibilities, courage]
1. How are characters presented? Look at faces and how they are lit. Note close-up / medium / long shots.
2. Is a theme being introduced in the opening frames, and what approach does the author / director take?
3. Comment on the flashback scene. Is it romantic or seedy in your opinion, and how is this achieved?
4. What is Juno’s first reaction to news of her pregnancy?
Cultural Context
[Minnesota, USA – modern day]
1. What do we learn about the cultural context of the film from this opening sequence?
2. How do we know that unwanted pregnancies are not unusual in this society, and what does this tell us about the world of the text?
Key Quotations:
‘It started with a chair.’
‘I remain unconvinced.’
‘This is one doodle that cannot be undone.’
----------
Sequence 2 [06.00 – 16.40]
Confirmation of Pregnancy -> Introduction to Juno’s family
Characters introduced:
Leah
Literary Genre
[Note: fingernails and music recurring motifs throughout the film]
1. Comment on the mise en scène (props) in Juno’s room and how they contrast to her friend Leah’s room. What does this tell us about the difference in their personalities?
2. What symbolism is used in the scene of the school corridor?
3. Comment on the effectiveness of Juno’s voiceover in the corridor. Why has the director chosen this as a narrative device?
4. Note the use of autumnal colours. How does this compare to ‘The Great Gatsby’?
Vision and Viewpoint
1. How does Juno feel about her relationship with Bleeker? Are you surprised by this match, and why or why not?
2. What satirical comments does Juno make in the voiceover about the college jocks?
3. On the phone to the abortion clinic, how does Juno comically mock the adult world’s perception of adolescence?
4. What are your first impressions of Juno’s family? Do you feel optimistic or pessimistic about them?
Cultural Context
1. What comment by Leah suggests that unwanted pregnancies are not unusual in this society?
2. What is Bleeker’s response to Juno’s news, and what does this suggest about the roles of men and women in Minnesota USA
3. How do the teenagers in school behave towards one another in general, and how is Juno seen to stand out from the crowd?
4. From evidence provided in the opening sequences, in what way(s) do the worlds of ‘Juno’ and ‘The Great Gatsby’ compare and /
or contrast?
Key Quotation:
‘Do whatever you think you should do.’
----------
Sequence 3 [16.40 – 27.00]
Bleeker looking at Yearbook -> Juno telling parents
Characters introduced:
Soo-Chin, Bleeker’s mother, Mac, Brenda
Literary Genre
1. How is Juno’s panic inside the abortion clinic emphasised by the director?
2. What message do Juno’s sunglasses and pipe evoke about her general attitude to her situation?
3. Comment on the mise en scène, the lighting, and Juno’s parents’ body language in the scene where she tells them she is pregnant. What do these codes tell us about the general mood in the house and the relationship between them all?
Vision and Viewpoint
1. Why does Juno change her mind about the abortion?
2. What evidence is there to indicate the strengthening relationship of Juno and Bleeker before the news of the pregnancy?
3. How is Juno’s immaturity shown when scouring the small ads for prospective parents? Is she too easily impressed by what she sees?
4. What is ironic about Leah’s comment regarding the Lorings?
5. The scene ends on a mixed note of sadness and dark comedy. Discuss.
Cultural Context
1. Comment on the use of comedy outside the abortion clinic. Why is Soo-Chin protest grammatically incorrect?
2. Why is Juno surprised by the matter-of-fact tone of the receptionist?
3. How Juno’s parents’ reaction to her news of her pregnancy and her decision to reject abortion? Are you surprised by this?
4. How does Brenda bring a sense of harsh reality to the scene at the end of the sequence?
Key Quotations:
‘I couldn’t do it, Leah … I’m staying pregnant.’
‘She’s just different.’ (Bleeker’s mother about Juno)
‘I don’t really know what kind of girl I am.’
Key Moment: Juno telling her parents about her pregnancy
----------
Sequence 4 [27.00 -> 36.00]
Juno telling parents -> Meeting the Lorings
Characters introduced:
Mark, Vanessa
Literary Genre
1. Comment on the furnishings in the Lorings’ household. What does it say about their lifestyle and relationship from the outset?
2. What is symbolic about the name ‘Juno’?
3. What is the significance of Juno entering Mark’s ‘private space’, and on what level do they connect?
Vision and Viewpoint
- How would you describe Juno’s general attitude in this scene. Do you think that her words belie her true feelings in any way?
- Comment on the different attitudes of Vanessa and Mark. What are our first impressions of them, and how this is viewpoint influenced by their respective behaviours?
- How is Vanessa seen to be uncomfortable about Mark and Juno’s flirting?
Cultural Context
- How is class difference shown between the MacGuffs and the Lorings? What is the significance of the name of their suburb
- Why might Mark be not as keen on the adoption as his wife in your opinion? Do you think that this might have some universal cultural truth or not?
- Why is Vanessa feeling so uncomfortable at the end of the scene? What does this tell us about married life and its subtle complexities?
Key Quotations:
‘Let’s talk about how we’re going to do this thing.’ (Mark regarding adoption)
Key Moment: Meeting the Lorings
----------
Sequence 5 [36.00 -> 50.00]
WINTER -> Brenda’s warning to Juno
Literary Genre
1. How does the ultra sound (a visible photograph) change Juno’s perception of her pregnancy, and how is this made evident?
2. Comment on the running motif of fingernails.
3. Comment on Mark’s body language towards Juno. What can we tell about his intentions from this scene?
4. What film do they watch together and how is its theme comically significant?
Vision and Viewpoint
- What is the ultra-sound technician’s attitude towards Juno, and what does Brenda’s defence of Juno reveal about their relationship?
- Comment on Juno’s satirical comment about babies: ‘In China they give them away like iPods.’ Why is this significant in relation to Mark’s attitude towards the adoption?
- Can Mark’s character be in any way compared to that of Gatsby, and how?
- Do you feel that Juno is somewhat ungrateful towards Brenda by the end of the sequence? Explain.
Cultural Context
- What does the technician’s inference that Juno is from a ‘poisonous environment’ tell us about attitudes towards class difference in the world of this text?
- From this sequence, what can we tell about family bonds and their importance in this society?
- What does Brenda’s warning to Juno at the end tell us about marriage?
Key Quotations:
‘In China they give [babies] away like iPods.’
Key Moment: Alone with Mark in house
----------
Sequence 6 [50.00 -> 57.20]
Brenda’s warning to Juno -> SPRING
Literary Genre
1. Comment on Juno and Bleeker’s body language in Bleeker’s room. What message does it convey to the viewer?
2. Examine the mise en scène (props) in Bleeker’s room and the orange tic-tacs. What do they tell us about his character?
3. How does the director effectively use juxtaposition from one scene to another in this sequence?
4. In the baby room, how does the author show conflict (outside of dialogue)?
5. Comment on the use of camerawork in the mall scene.
Vision and Viewpoint
- How would you describe the central relationship of Juno and Bleeker at this stage of the film? In what way is their viewpoint similar/different?
- What does Bleeker’s comment about smelling “like soup” connote?
- Why are Mark and Vanessa in conflict about painting the child’s room and what is the deeper significance of this?
- How are Vanessa’s insecurities made clear in this sequence?
- In what way is Juno’s impression of Vanessa and the baby changing after witnessing her in the mall, and why? How has Juno matured since the start of the film?
Cultural Context
- In the context of the film, what does this sequence tell us about:
- Marriage?
- Motherhood?
- Adoption?
2. How do the worlds of innocence and experience come face to face in this sequence?
3. How are men and women portrayed differently in this culture?
Key Quotations:
‘I think it’s too early to paint’ [Mark] / ‘I disagree’ [Vanessa]
‘You should read the book. I’ve flagged all the daddy chapters’
‘It’s not kicking for me’
Key Moment: Witnessing Vanessa (“unguarded”) in the mall.