Juno (2007)

There are a lot of categories for movies such as drama, comedy, documentary, etc... I feel that there are some movies that consider an issue, formulate a position, then use the movie as a vehicle for that position. There's nothing wrong with that approach, mind you, but it needs to be recognized; some extreme examples would be "The Outlaw Josey Wales" or "Fahrenheit 9/11".

Then there are movies like "Juno". These films approach an issue, and simply present it in the context of a narrative. They don't make overt judgments or proclamations, they just say "here's life, it's complicate, you figure it out". I love it. "Juno" deals with a 16 year old girl who gets pregnant, decides to have an abortion, but ultimately can't go through it and decides to have the baby and give it up for adoption. Most conservatives would say "good for her!" and change the subject. This film examines the next 9 months of this girl's life and what the ramifications of this decision are. I don't want to spoil the ending but... it isn't easy! The right choice isn't always easy, in fact it's normally difficult. It was refreshing to see such a realistic, non-oppressive, and humorous approach to a hot button issue. I could have done without the spattering of explicatives, but such is life.

For another movie that presents life but doesn't try to explain it, check out "The House of Sand and Fog". Be warned, it is an excellently made film, but actually quite depressing.