"Juno" is this year's "Little Miss Sunshine." Superior in all respects, this little independent film justifiably deserves to be at the top of every serious moviegoer's top ten list.

Charming as it is irreverent, it is the most intelligent film I have seen this year. It is sly, subversive and yet magically defines "family values" in a fashion that most of us can relate to and identify with.

Director Jason Reitman has demonstrated that he is not a one hit wonder. Like his last film "Thank You for Smoking", he turns a controversial topic into a poignant, humorous morality tale. He clearly has added to the legacy of his director father Ivan who has left us with such wonderful comedies as "Stripes" (1981); "Ghost Busters" (1984) and "Dave" (1993).

Ellen Page, who plays the 16 year old high school girl who finds herself pregnant after a close encounter with her goofy but endearing boyfriend (played by the affable Michael Cera last seen in "Superbad"), she gives a stunning performance that surely will land an Oscar nomination. She dominates the screen with equal doses of wit, charm, irreverence and most of all, intelligence.

There are so many wondrous scenes in this movie that one risks doing a disservice to the entire film by trying to single one out. However, the moment where she springs her pregnancy on her father and stepmother, played to perfection by J. K. Simmons and Allison Janney, is delicious beyond words. Try on the response of her father, who tells his wife that while he knew Juno was going to be giving them bad news, he was really hoping it was more along the lines of a DUI arrest!

At the end of this moving, funny and tender scene, Juno's father looks at her and says, "I didn't think you were that kind of girl", to which she wistfully responds, "I don't really know what kind of girl I am." Let me tell you without fear of contradiction that you will not only be charmed by this movie, but you will lovingly embrace all of the characters.

True to her first name, the screenplay, written by Diablo Cody, is diabolically quick and clever, and I would be surprised if it doesn't win the Oscar for best original screenplay. Through the eyes of a 16-year-old pregnant girl, this movie provides a searing insight into the human condition that resonates beyond a simple movie.

For example, think of the hysteria gripping various parts of our society over the announced pregnancy of Brittany Spears' 16-year-old sister. Those of you that are paying attention may have noticed that many are calling for this young girl to be fired from her TV show. I encourage those people to watch "Juno", and then sit back and re-evaluate their position.

Also deserving mention are Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner, who play the married couple that plan to adopt Juno's baby. I have never particularly been fond of Garner's acting ability, but she is quietly sensational as a woman anxiously trying to become a mother. As her husband, Bateman pulls off the thankless role of a husband who is more adolescent than adult.

Furthermore, the musical score is uniquely suited for this offbeat, memorable film. Along with the soundtrack for "Once", I'll bet many of you will be hunting the CD containing this music shortly after leaving the theater. It is truly that good.

The only mild criticism I have of this splendid film is the regrettable caricature it draws from Juno's short trip to an abortion clinic. It is unfortunate that this film would stoop to a rather lowbrow caricature of a young receptionist in that clinic when one of its strengths is the nuanced approached to all of Juno's other trials and tribulations. Again, this is a small criticism, but Ms. Cody is sophisticated enough not to have unfairly demeaned institutions like Plan Parenthood.

For those of you still harboring doubts as to whether I or any other critic is overstating the case for "Juno", let me refer you to remarks made about Tiger Woods after his first year on the P.G.A. Tour. As one pundit so brilliantly observed, "While Tiger arrived on the Tour the most over hyped golfer in the history of the game, he then proceeded to out perform the hype!" Let me simply say that not one word spoken about "Juno" has been overstated. Do yourself a favor and go see what may very well be the best film of the year.