Most movies with a “For Your Consideration” ad in “the Trades” are contractually obligated by the talent contracts. Neither Disney, AMPAS members (the Academy), the Producers, Director or above the line talent expect to win an academy award except for possibly a music or technical award.

What the “For Your Consideration” campaign does is enhance the reputation and hence the careers of the professionals who made one of the most profitable movies of 2008. Disney is “in business with” these people. Disney may appear to be an impersonal factory turning out tween entertainment and merchandising, but those people produce those products. And all else being equal a “For your consideration” campaign also tells the rest of Hollywood that those people are players.

All this marketing is designed to make it easier for the talent to do their next picture with Disney.

It captures a voice of youth and the way you felt if you were ever a freaky little teenager. Juno reflects that youth is for the young but dealing with issues beyond our maturity is a life-long lesson.

Juno is a sixteen year old high school junior who falls pregnant after a one night fling with her best friend Bleek. She finds adoptive parents for the baby and the story develops around this smart alec, punk, clever, cute, insightful mother-to-be as she deals with: her feelings for Bleek, her other best friend Leah, her parents, the adoptive parents, pregnancy and school. Any more and I’d have to give spoilers.

I love this film. We’ll be watching it again with our 14 year old daughter, although she won’t think I’m cool enough and the teen pregnancy will freak her out.

See it then let me know what you think.

I’ve managed to somehow overwrite the original review – how frustrating.

I like a good romantic comedy. Most of my more blokey friends think I’m a bit suspect. However I’ve found 2 things to be self evident: 1) Chicks like rom-coms and chick flicks – this makes them great date movies with significant fringe benefits, and 2) after watching a chick flick most self-respecting women will happily endorse you excursion to the pictures with your mates to see the latest addition to the Alien franchise.

27 Dresses is a solid 3 star addition to the wedding film sub-genre of the romantic comedy. It isn’t as good as the Wedding Singer or even My Best Friends Wedding but it’s fun, clever, entertaining and natural.

From the trailer Jane has been a bridesmaid 27 times and is looking forward to one day being the bride. Secretly in love with her boss, George, Jane is both the perfect bridesmaid and the perfect executive assistant. Organised, in-control, resourceful, sensitive and competent, she can take care of any crisis but can’t pursue her own happiness. George is handsome, sincere, loveable and clueless. Jane’s insensitive sister Tess whisks in from Milan, meets George and Jane must organise her sister’s perfect marriage to her boss. Kevin is a journalist whose cynical view of the marriage industry is at odds with his gift to write about weddings in a way swoons brides, to-be’s and wanna-be’s.

The relationships and plot development are mostly natural and relaxed, flowing while setting up engaging gags. I have two complaints. Firstly the easy plot choices made for Tess, I’d love to see what would have emerged had the more mature Tess from the end of the film been there all along. It’s hard to write characters who are flawed but good.

Secondly, I hated the way Jane broke out of her people pleasing pattern. Again I think it was the easy or lazy story choice but they missed greatness by not reaching for it. All rom-coms need the all-is-lost moment and it is extremely hard to write. That’s what makes them worth doing.

Still a good effort with hilarious moments not in the trailer.  A great date movie that will get guys get more action than Alien vs Predator: Requiem. Go see that with your mates afterwards.