A while ago, I found Roger Ebert's website, and I've discovered that he's my kind of critic. Which is not to say that I'd always agree with him, but that I like his approach: he's wide ranging, cares deeply about his subject, and writes both intelligently and entertainingly. His recommendation was a key reason I went to see No Country for Old Men; and the same goes for Juno which, to be honest, isn't the sort of film I would normally choose to see. But Ebert thinks this comedy about an unplanned teen pregnancy is exceptional; other reviews I checked said the same; and it's always good to step outside your comfort zone sometimes -- so I gave it a go.

I would not be as enthusiastic about the movie as Ebert is, but it's certainly very good. It wasn't as laugh-out-loud funny as I'd expected (though it is that in places); but it's all there in the glances and expressions. The lead performances are all excellent. Ellen Page plays 16-year-old Juno, a precociously articulate (but never unlikeable) girl who decides to have sex with a friend, gets pregnant; and, put off after visiting an abortion clinic, decides to put the baby up for adoption. Juno's words and gags are her armour, and she's thrown by her pregnancy; Page gives a marvellously nuanced performance as the girl trying to deal with the events of the movie. Michael Cera is also great as Bleeker, the other participant in Juno's sexual experiment. Bleeker is a runner (the film is punctuated with regular appearances by his team), a good-natured lad who, you sense, would like to express his feelings more, but words don't come naturally to him as they do to Juno. Only at the end do they find the perfect way to communicate with each other on an equal level, by sitting down with their guitars and duetting.

Then there is the couple who agree to adopt Juno's child. They appear to be perfect -- glamorous and living in a beautiful house -- though cracks eventually begin to show. Jennifer Garner portrays Vanessa, who desperately wants to be a mother, but thinks the essence of parenting lies in books and classes. Jason Bateman is equally good as Mark, Vanessa's husband, the composer of advertising jingles who would've liked to have been a rock star. During Juno's trips to visit him [*}, they find enough shared interests that -- the poignant realisation grows -- they could be perfect for each other, if only circumstances (and generations) were different. But, as it is, Juno and Mark don't go down that road; there's just an unspoken acknowledgement of what might have been, and a resignation that it cannot be. That's just one example of the great emotional complexity and subtlety to be found in Juno amid the laughs.

I could go on -- I haven't even touched on the characters of Juno's parents for one thing -- but I think I've made my point. If you haven't seen Juno, I heartily recommend it; even -- perhaps especially -- if you think it might not be your sort of thing.

* I was surprised to see Juno driving alone, but checked and found that, in some US states, the legal driving age is indeed lower than here in the UK.