By Alexis Tomrell

Contributing Reporter

For the slightly offbeat and slightly intellectual, the title character of “Juno” resonates our familiar feelings of being 16 years old. 

Quirky, opinionated, naïve, confused, and traumatized by the suburban life around her, Juno is a girl we all can identify with, especially at our most awkward moments. 

The film is a rare movie that caters to independent and mainstream audiences alike. 

“Juno” centers on a 16-year-old girl (Ellen Page), who gets pregnant by her uncomfortable, self-conscious love crush Paulie Bleeker (Michael Cera) and the clumsy, bonding journey it takes her and those around her on. 

After becoming pregnant, Juno plans to have an eager, yuppie couple (Jennifer Garner and Michael Bateman of “Arrested Development”) adopt the child. 

At first, the film is annoying. Most of the teen characters talk like conceited bloggers with too much to say about nothing. 

Mostly, it feels like something already done in other semi-independent, offbeat films — perfectly cued music, lines too rehearsed and contrived. 

As the story develops, the characters develop as well. The humor gets better, and things seem to be more authentic. 

As Juno’s pregnancy grows nearer, her attitude changes toward those around her, especially her father, changing her character incredibly. 

And while she stays independent, eccentric and opinionated throughout the entire movie, Juno’s persona seems more genuine and changed by the end of the film. 

The music, mostly done by former Moldy Peaches’ member Kimya Dawson, adds a special element to the movie. Dawson, with her one-woman-band of vocals and guitar, is just underground enough to be attached to the movie. 

The soundtrack and story co-exist well together, better than the removed songs played in many films today. 

The tiny touches of the movie — it’s familiar suburban feel, the music, random popular allusions — give it hope. 

Juno represents a reality of life rarely touched upon in film today — that even when things are ordinary, people will always be the most interesting and the expected is always the unexpected.