Lady Bird, 2017
Directed by Greta Gerwig
Lady Bird (birth name Christine) is a high school senior in Sacramento in 2002. Lady Bird is both ambitious and a poor student, confident yet not, and is such a well rounded character. She wants to get out of Sacramento and her Catholic high school and go to an East coast college “where culture is”. Her and her mom are always fighting, but it’s because they’re so much alike (even if neither of them quite realize it)
Lady Bird is said to be semi-autobiographical of Writer/director Greta Gerwig. Gerwig, who is mainly known as an actress and writer, Lady Bird is her directorial debut. And this film is absolutely stunning. Has anyone made so perfect a film on their first try? (I mean, yes, Jordan Peele’s Get Out is another example of a perfect debut).
I feel like we all knew a girl like Lady Bird in high school. Or at least I did. A girl who was reckless, didn’t seem to care what others thought, had slightly awkward social skills (or again, just didn’t care what people thought of her) and seemed destined for trouble if she didn’t smarten up. Lady Bird as a character was incredibly complex and well rounded and this level of complexity for a teenage girl character is rare, though thankfully becoming more common (The Edge of Seveteen, Girlhood, etc). But also, the relationship she had with her mom felt real. The movie truly is a love story between a girl and her mom. They fight and disagree and always seem on the verge of never speaking to each other again, but then they’ll find the perfect dress at the thrift store and they’ll forget the fight and talk about how perfect the dress is. I have to give such a hard off to Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalfe. Greta Gerwig said she wanted and powerhouse duo and this is certainly what the two of them are. Saoirse Ronan is wonderful and absolut perfect as Lady Bird. Seriously, I can’t praise her enough for the complexity and nuance and rawness she brought to the role. And Laurie Metcalfe as the mother is also so wonderful. They both really seem to understand the dynamic between these two women and their chemistry was beautiful.
Like Jordan Peele, I’m curious and excited to see both where this leads Greta Getwig and what she’ll do next. Right now, I’d love to see major Oscar recognition for this film, which seems likely. But I would love to especially see Gerwig nominated for director. I think she may be battling it out with Peele for that 5th spot but hopefully the Oscars buck some trends and nominate both a woman under 35 and a comedy-writing black man. But seriously, Saoirse Ronan is locked in for nomination 3 (at 23 years old!) and Laurie Metcalfe should also have no problem nabbing a supporting nomination.
But for real, do yourself a favour and watch this film. It’s beautiful and you’ll have that “teary cry smile” on your face roughly 50% of the movie
10/10
