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"Lady Bird" Movie Review


            Greta Gerwig makes her solo directional debut with the coming-of-age drama, Lady Bird, starring two-time Academy award nominee Saoirse Ronan. Gerwig, who also wrote the film, has primarily been an actress that you may recognize from films such as 20th Century Women, Jackie and No Strings Attached. 2017 has been a year that has seen many phenomenal directorial debuts including Jordan Peele’s Get Out and Andy Serkis’ Breathe. Gerwig does not disappoint and turns in an incredible film that can be enjoyed by all.
            Lady Bird takes place in Sacramento and is the story of Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson as she finishes out her last year of high school and prepares for college. The film takes place in 2002, a time where the United States’ economy was rapidly shifting as a result of 9/11. Christine’s family struggles because of those economic changes and her resentment is made very clear. In her final high school year, Christine finds herself learning about love and all of the ways love can be given.
            One thing in particular that I really enjoyed was the directing and how Gerwig was able to make this feel so different than most other coming-of-age films. There are a lot of similar themes and plot points to be found, but the way they are handled is different. For example, one of the central plot-points in this film is the tumultuous relationship between Christine and her mother, Marion (Laurie Metcalf). While it would have been easy for Gerwig to simply make Marion be a heartless parental figure, she instead took the time to give her layers and thoroughly explain why she is the way she is.  Much like Christine, Lady Bird manages to stay unpredictable.
            The journey that Christine goes through in Lady Bird is fascinating because of how visible her growth is and how much it feels like you are growing up with her. The film positions Christine at this perfect time in her life where she is just now beginning to understand the way in which the world really works. She starts off as a funny but shy girl whose only dream is to escape her city of Sacramento and go “where the culture is”.  As the story advances, she meets certain people who force her to come out of her shell and really put herself out into the world. When this happens we begin to see Christine really grow and mature. The ways in which her story unfolds all felt very real and relatable, which is one of the film’s strongest points.
            The performances throughout Lady Bird are very layered, but also very tender. Saoirse Ronan may very well be headed to her third Oscar nomination. The way in which she was able to perfectly portray this time when naivety meets maturity is amazing to see. Laurie Metcalf also deserves a lot of praise for her portrayal of Christine’s mother. Without her, the film doesn’t work quite as well as it does. You believe that she really is the person you see onscreen, which is a mother who is at the verge of breaking from trying with all her might to keep her family from falling apart. She is the anchor that holds the family and the film in place.
            There aren’t any weak performances in Lady Bird. The cast includes Tracy Letts as Christine’s father, Lucas Hedges (Manchester By The Sea) as Danny and Timothée Chalamet, who this year alone is in three possible award-contending films (Call Me By Your Name, Lady Bird and Hostiles), as Kyle.
            Lady Bird is personal film for Greta Gerwig and it shows in every moment of the film. This is a story that doesn’t rely on big plot twists or huge set pieces. Instead, it focuses on telling a strong story about the ups and downs of growing up. It is a wonderful and highly relatable perspective of what growing up is like. It beautifully depicts the various forms of love we encounter throughout our lives without shying away from showing the heartbreak that comes with them. Everyone in this film deserves praise, especially director Greta Gerwig. With Lady Bird, she created something special and Hollywood needs more voices like hers.

This is a perfect film. Score: 100%
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