Juno MacGuff (Ellen Page) is a quirky 16 year old girl who, after being very bored one night, finds herself pregnant.

In an act of kindness she decides that she will give her baby away to a couple desperate to adopt. But she soon finds that the ideal couple she was hoping to find for her baby may not be so perfect.

Juno may only be director Jason Reitman's second film (after the critically acclaimed Thank You For Smoking), but the plethora of award nominations speak for themselves.

Swapping the dynamic shooting and glossy editing from his previous film for a more subtle and controlled style, Reitman coats the film with apt alternative-folk music gems and careful camera work.

Steering clear of the usual clichés when bringing a story of high-school kids to the big screen, he concentrates on the characters and the authentic script by newcomer Diablo Cody to offer a far more accessible and enjoyable film.

Chaptered by the seasons and concentrating on such a small band of characters keeps the pace steady throughout. And at a easy-to-watch 96 minutes it is certainly quality over quantity.

An enviable collection of solid actors including Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner as the wannabe parents, and Michael Cera as the amiable best friend (and father of the unborn baby), bring a very real but off-beat sensibility to the film.

But it is Ellen Page as the outspoken Juno who carries the film remarkably well.

Having already balanced indie-shock in Hard Candy with big budget in X-Men: Last Stand, Page stretches herself as the sarcastic but vulnerable teenager with stunning results.

Transcending age and gender, Juno is a solid alternative film about teenage choices that brings gentle humour and tears in equal measure.

9/10 - Well written. Well directed. Well acted. Well worth watching.