By Brendan O’Reilly

After a brilliant first feature in 2005, “Thank You For Smoking” director Jason Reitman set the bar high for his second full-length film. When the first trailer for “Juno” was released, it was apparent he would meet those expectations. However, the first 15 minutes of the film make it seem that “Juno” is completely unoriginal and a big disappointment. The title character, played by Ellen Page (“Hard Candy”), comes off as an Enid à la “Ghost World.” Juno is persecuted for not conforming to the social norms, yet she doesn’t desire acceptance or popularity. Her classmates are all high school archetypes, and one of her lab partners looks and acts like Napoleon Dynamite. Viewers find themselves asking, “Is Reitman even trying?” (Although, it may have more to do with writer Diablo Cody than Reitman.)

But then the film does a turnaround. It stops being a high school movie and becomes a poignant coming-of-age film. The 16-year-old Juno is thrown into adulthood suddenly when she is faced with an unexpected pregnancy. Rather than have an abortion or try to raise a child herself, she decides to find a couple that is “desperately seeking spawn.”

Once she decides to take her pregnancy to term, keeping it secret from her father and stepmother is no longer an option. J.K Simmons (“Spider-man”) and Allison Janney (“The West Wing”) are hilarious together as Juno’s parents. They end up being uncannily understanding and supportive, although her father does indicate his desire to punch the “weiner” of the boy who impregnated his daughter.

The culprit (a.k.a. father) is Bleeker, played by Micheal Cera, who, like always, is wonderfully awkward. Unlike in “Superbad,” Cera isn’t cursing every few seconds and neither is anyone else. The language was kept tame to give it a PG-13 rating. It actually gets rather ridiculous how they get around using profanity (See “weiner” above). Cera may not have the mouth of a sailor in “Juno,” but he is basically playing the same character he always does. He’s great, but he should fear being typecast. In addition to “Juno” and “Superbad,” he’s played the stumbling and uncomfortable George Michael in television’s “Arrested Development.” “Juno” is an “Arrested Development” reunion of sorts, as it brings Cera and Jason Bateman back together.

Bateman played Cera’s father in “Arrested Development,” but here, as Mark, he is childless. Mark and Vanessa Loring (Jennifer Garner) placed a looking-to-adopt ad in the Pennysaver, where Juno finds them. Though a successful professional, Vanessa’s real goal is to be a mother. Mark is not so excited about parenthood, and hanging out with jailbait Juno only adds to his desire to avoid responsibility and hold onto his youth.

After a mediocre performance in last year’s “Catch and Release,” Garner excels in “Juno.” She captures the anxiety of an expectant mother, garnering (no pun intended) sympathy from the audience, which wants to see Vanessa’s dream of maternity come true.

“Juno” will definitely be a delight for fans of Kimya Dawson, the cult star of the New York anti-folk scene and part of The Moldy Peaches. She provides most of the soundtrack, which is fun and upbeat. Though her music fits perfectly with the film, she didn’t actually write any of the songs specifically for “Juno.” In fact, “Anyone Else But You,” was first release in 2001 on The Moldy Peaches’ self-titled album. The song is featured twice in the film. The second time, Ellen Page and Michael Cera perform it in a sweet scene.

Ellen Page and Michael Cera play teenagers-turned-expectant-parents in Jason Reitman and Diablo Cody’s “Juno”. (AllMoviePhoto.com)