The Circuit

Brian De Palma’s “Redacted” and Jason Reitman’s “Juno” were added as sneak previews today.  While the “Redacted” screening reported several moving outbursts at the film’s shocking end, it was the afterglow of “Juno” that had most people talking.  Reitman brought the print to the Chuck Jones Theater still wet, he said, as he introduced the screenwriter, Diablo Cody (pictured, with Reitman).  The film is hilarious and poignant; a girl’s view of high school and family and relationships that hasn’t been seen since “Ghost World.”  Ellen Page plays a back-of-the-class girl who uses her sharp wit and confidence to cut through the tired emotional baggage that only adults can bring into relationships.  Michael Cerra is perfectly cast as her awkward boyfriend.  And Reitman directs with restraint, letting the script take the lead.  A few jokes were lost because the audience was still laughing at the last one.  Fox Searchlight should be confident that the film will play big to younger audiences as the raunch-factor is right in line with “Superbad,” through refreshingly from the other gender.