Read my interview with director Jason Reitman in The Desert Sun, or read a little more here:
"They could see exactly what was in my mind from the beginning," said Jason Reitman.
When visualizing Juno – the director's celebrated, sophomore hit -- Reitman knew he needed everyone on board for the same film. He wanted the studio to approve four actors without the loathsome audition process, so he shot Ellen Page, Olivia Thirlby, Michael Cera and J.K. Simmons in a sample cut together for the studios. There would be no mistaking the film that would become Juno.
And it would be nothing like his breakthrough film, the biting Thank You for Smoking. Stylistically they are very different, as every choice in Thank You was designed to make the film as slick as possible.
"Juno is the exact opposite," said Reitman. "It was filmed to be able to be hung on a wall in Juno’s bedroom."
He described the recent filmmaking process as an exercise in discipline and resistance, working to avoid any distraction from the story.
"There is not a cool camera angle in whole movie," he assured.
Which seems ironic considering the cool language and mind-set of certain characters within a small town that is shaken by a teenage pregnancy. Mature enough to realize she is not ready to care for a child, Juno finds adopting parents in the Penny Saver. As her belly grows, she still takes time to appreciate the finer aspects of 70s punk and foreign slasher flicks.
Reitman believes Juno is a teenage reflection of Diablo Cody, the writer who burst onto the scene this year with a script written in a Target Starbucks. And who as of late has been amassing awards for her Juno script, including a Golden Globe nomination. From the way she talks to her style and her fearlessness, Cody leaves an impression.
"The woman lives up to the words," summed up Reitman.
"Diablo has such an undeniably specific voice," said Reitman. "For me, she has the clearest version of a voice as when (Quentin) Tarantino started writing."
Reitman appreciates Cody's gift for surprises and recognizes that this film could have been an after-school special about teenage pregnancy and an evil stepmother. Instead, Cody knocks down such preconceptions in a pivotal moment.
"I loved, loved, loved the ultrasound scene," said Reitman of the moment when stepmom Bren defends her stepdaughter. "I made the mistake of telling Allison Janney that," who delivered the scene under pressure.
With a fresh story in hand, Reitman proceeded to build his smart cast. Knowing Page from her acclaimed but little-known role in Hard Candy, he pictured her as the lead (providing another Golden Globe nomination). For more recognizable stars like Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner, he hoped to draw out "dramatic, subtle stuff" that will change peoples' perceptions of their abilities and provide insight into them as actors.
"Everyone came from a different background, but they all share a common subtlety and common warmth," said Reitman.
The music of the film reflects this cozy atmosphere through Kimya Dawson, half of the vocal stylings of The Moldy Peaches. Page introduced Reitman to the band, and he immediately fell in love with the one-album wonders. At the L.A. premiere on Dec. 6, the Moldy Peaches reunited after the screening.
"To hear the voice (of Adam Green) finally come in was as if I had only heard the intro to a song and finally heard the whole song," said Reitman. "The idea that this movie could bring them back together (is great)."
By weaving together so much emerging talent, Reitman said, "This is somewhat of a discovery film on many levels."
But most importantly, "This is a film about a family made by a family," said Reitman. "The crew and cast had a bond."
Reitman emphasized that relationships are more important than resumes. "The people that I work with, I love."
Some of his crew share his career. Production designer Steve Saklad worked on Thank You, executive producer Daniel Dubiecki has produced nearly everything Reitman has done, and high school friend and cinematographer Eric Steelberg shot Reitman’s commercials and shorts.
Reflecting on the importance of creating short films, Reitman praised the Palm Springs ShortFest ("one of the most recognized shorts fests in the world"). Through his experience there screening the shorts "In God We Trust," "Gulp" and "Consent," he recognized the need for a democratic system. "Otherwise people would only see me as 'the son of Ivan Reitman.' "
"I cut my teeth in film fests," said Reitman. "And got a name as a director that was in it for the right reasons."
Juno will be honored by the Palm Springs International Film Festival when Reitman and company accept the Chairman’s Vanguard Award at the awards gala on Jan. 5. The film was recently nominated for a Best Comedy/Musical Golden Globe.