Okay - My first time doing this (appropriate considering the topic, no?). Just a little nervous. "The Heroine's Journey" - Major Plot Points: -------------------------------------------- ACT I: 1.) THE OPENING: We meet the main characters: * Protagonist Juno MacGruff = 16-years old * Boyfriend = Paulie Bleeker * BFF = Leah * Step-Mom = Bren * Dad = Mac The Problem = she's pregnant. In high school. Protagonist's Disunity: * her want = this "bedraggled burnout kid" wants to deliver the baby and then give it away a.s.a.p. ("Today, if I could"). * her need = to be loved. Her real mother had "replacement children". Her Dad is blunt: "I expected her to be expelled or have a DUI". Very much alone, she does booze and pills to excess. Smart mouth / attitude. 2.) THE HOOK: At the Women's Choice Clinic, Juno makes her choice, and runs out. She decides to have the baby. Declares: "I'm staying pregnant, Le". (p. 21) - this jumbles the Protagonist's world. 3.) THE LOCK: Scanning the Penny Saver ads with Leah, Juno finds her solution: She decides to give the baby up for adoption to the Loring's for adoption (p. 31). Announces her pregnancy to Mac & Bren. They're not really surprised. ACT II: 4.) DECONSTRUCTION TEST: Juno enters the New World - the Loring's McMansion in the gated community. Together with Mac, Juno notices Mark Loring's quiet detachment. Vanessa Loring catches Juno & her husband Mark playing guitar upstairs. Paulie's friend Vijay lets Paulie know that it's public knowledge on the street. The ultrasound technician dumps on Juno: "Teenage mothers . . . it's a poisonous environment for a baby to be raised in". 5.) THE TRANSITION: Juno experiences a breakthrough: * Juno brings the ultrasound photo to the Loring's mansion (start on p.48). Juno & Mark talk "her language" of alt-rock bands, horror flicks, and slasher movies. Connection is made. * Vanessa comes home, and Juno learns of their earlier adoption effort and resultant heartbreak. Juno sees Vanessa as more than a "perfect yuppie" for the first time (ends on p.58). 6.) RECONSTRUCTION TEST: * Juno faces disapproving Mrs. Bleeker. * Juno confronts Paulie point blank about Katrina de Voort (the new woman). * Mark & Vanessa prepare the baby's nursery upstairs. * Juno & Leah bump into Vanessa at the mall. The baby kicks for Vanessa. * Juno & Leah face off the stares of their fellow students at lunch. 7.) ALL IS LOST: The Protagonist suffers Major Reversals: * Leah informs Juno that Paulie is taking Katrina to the prom (p.72) * Paulie insists that Katrina is not his girlfriend (p.74) - "but only friends" * Juno visits Mark's house, where he drops the BOMBSHELL: "I'm leaving Vanessa" (p.77) * p.85 - Mark & Vanessa fight in front of Juno. She escapes, sobbing. Her world is crashing down around her. ACT III: 8.) ON THE OFFENSIVE: * Juno slips the "Jiffy Lube note" under the door for Vanessa (p.87) * Juno and Mac have a heart-to-heart (88-90) * Juno & Leah place 100 orange Tic Tac mints (Paulie's beloved vice) into Paulie's mailbox - reaching out to him (p.91) 9.) FINAL STRUGGLE: * (p.95) Her water breaks * Bren & Leah assist Juno to / and at / the hospital for delivery * (p.97) Paulie has to choose: he leaves his mother at the h.s. track, and rushes to Juno's side at the hospital 10.) DENOUEMENT (p.99) Vanessa - disorganized for the first time ever - feeds her new baby. Pure joy. (p.100) Juno sits down with Paulie and plays the guitar and they sing together. THEY ARE IN LOVE - and Juno is in Unity: "He (Paulie) is the cheese to my macaroni". Her want = her need. Anyway, that's my take on the 10 Major Plot Points in the film. Good story. John A

Good work, John. Looks like once again those 10 Major Plotline Points from Narrative Throughline are in evidence. Later on today when I have time, I'll post a more meta view of the story's structure to accompany your breakdown, but again excellent work - and thanks!

Not much I can add to that comprehensive breakdown, except to observe; on its own, the apparent concept of the film, "quirky teen gets pregnant and finds potential adopters, only to realise they're as unready for parenthood as she is" wouldn't be enough to sustain a feature length story. Which is why the story of Juno's evolving relationship with Paulie is so important - it's the subplot that adds weight, and originality and unpredictability, to the second act.

great breakdown, I will try to stay awake for tweetcast. Bought screenplay at Amazon after I saw movie cause I couldn't find it online!!!So thanks. Just saw the campaign I think its hilarious. I was one of four people in the theatre today. A prelude to the farce tonight.