Juno Distasteful?
To preface, I have not seen Juno, but I have read rave and rotten reviews both from the adoption and from the “secular” community.
What has gotten viewers in a huff (mainly the adoption community and parents of children from China) is this excerpt from the movie (and of course the inaccurate portrayal of what domestic adoption is really like).
Numerous detractors have said online they think the joke is offensive, oversimplifies the adoption process in China and shouldn’t be used in trailers and film clips at awards shows, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
“No one could be more sensitive to this idea than myself. My wife and daughter are Chinese, and my sister is adopted,” Reitman told the Chronicle in an e-mail statement. “While I am connected to this on all levels, I have always felt that it is important that we find humor in which we are most sensitive. It is through comedy that we can begin conversation instead of hiding behind political correctness — a wall that simply divides people and stifles communication.”
What do you all think?
I agree with Reitman’s statement 100%. Juno is an excellent movie.
My husband and I are in the process of adopting internationally and are sensitive to adoption issues and we were not at all offended by the line in Juno. In the film Juno has an odd sense of humor and I’m sure no one who saw this movie would think she was serious.
I haven’t seen this yet but I do want to see it. This reminds me of a show that came out a few years back and the young girl got to choose the family for her baby. The couple that ended up with the baby had already miscarried not sure if that is who she chooses in the movie Juno or not.
I just watched the video that you linked to the joke and I still laughed watching it the second time. I agree with Sherri – It just goes along with her sense of humor. I don’t think the intent of her joke was meant to be hurtful or mean spirited.
You should really see the movie. I wasn’t sure what to expect and I ended up enjoying it more than I thought would.
Amanda, do you babysit?