Ian & Jocelyn Barker

Last night, our engaged friends, Chris and Lindsey, came over for dinner and then we went and saw a movie called Juno. Chris and Lindsey are awesome and we are excited for them to get married, but that’s not why I’m writing.

“Juno” is kind of an independent movie with a few bigger Hollywood stars (Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman) that is up for an 4 Oscar’s including Best Picture, Best Leading Actress (Ellen Page), and Original Screenplay. It tells the story of a 16-year-old named Juno who gets pregnant one night with her best friend out of “boredom” (or is it love?) Faced with her predicament, she decides that an abortion is the only option. But when she goes to the clinic, she is confronted by a little dorky Chinese girl who tells her that abortion is murder and her baby has finger nails. This stuns her and she can’t go through with the abortion. Her friend tells her that she can give up the baby for adoption and this leads her to a couple who want to adopt the baby, or the “thing.”

I found the movie to be refreshingly honest and real. It has a pro-life message throughout, but not in the way that I am used to hearing in a pro-life environment. Juno is a unique girl who runs against stereotypes and has a tough attitude but is really just a broken girl who doesn’t know what kind of girl she is. The movie is a lot about her journey in trying to figure out life. Juno’s attitude towards the baby is often detached and unemotional, but her actions imply a deeper connection with the life inside of her. Her attitude is reflected in her desire to give the baby to a loving and “in love” couple. In other words, a solid home.

It’s interesting to me how many “pro-life” movies came out this year. Wisdom and revelation is given in many forms and packages. “Juno” will connect with teenagers and non-Christians because it is not a “clean” movie nor is it sentimental or preachy. The jokes are sometimes crass, while much of it is very funny, and the question of God is left out of the equation. We aren’t told that sex outside of marriage is wrong, but we are told that love is meant to last forever.

I would recommend seeing the movie (be warned that you might find some of the humor offensive) because it is a powerful testament to the power of life to give joy and force a person to ask hard questions and make tough decisions. It’s different than “Bella,” but it speaks to different issues and will connect to a different audience. Praise the Lord that a profoundly pro-life movie could win Best Picture. The knowledge of His will is truly being made known.