Written and Directed by Greta Gerwig
Starring Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf and Lucas Hedges
‘Deeply Moving’
There is no time in a person’s life that is as important or formative as adolescence. It is a turbulent time during which you discover your identity, build long lasting relationships and rebel against parents. These experiences have a lasting impact and shape the person you become in adulthood. It is easy to take these experiences for granted. It isn’t until many years later that you realize how important your adolescence was.
“Lady Bird”, the latest film from writer/director Greta Gerwig, beautifully captures the feeling of being an adolescent. Greta Gerwig’s directorial debut is a sharp, funny and heartfelt film about growing up. With the support of a smart screenplay and talented cast, first-time filmmaker Greta Gerwig crafts an unforgettable coming-of-age story. Although it is a familiar story that we’ve seen before, “Lady Bird” proves that there are fresh angles left to explore in the coming-of-age genre. The film shows what it is like to grow up from a female’s perspective, which is rarely seen in movies today.
Set in the early 2000’s, “Lady Bird” focuses on the life of a young girl who grows up in Sacramento, California. Saoirse Ronan stars in the lead role as Christine McPherson, a rebellious girl going through an identity crisis. As she navigates her final year of school, boyfriends and turbulent relationship with her mother, Christine starts to discover her identity in life.
It’s a familiar coming-of-age story, but told in a way that is unique and refreshing. Although we’ve seen plenty of coming-of-age films in the last few years, most have focused on a male protagonist. What sets “Lady Bird” apart from those films is its strong female perspective. Writer/director Greta Gerwig, who steps behind the camera for the first time, does a remarkable job in bringing this story to life. Although she is best known for her acting career, Gerwig proves that she can direct a film as well. With a sharp screenplay and talented cast, Gerwig has made one of the finest directorial debuts in recent years.
Perhaps, the most impressive aspect of “Lady Bird” which is key to its success is the screenplay. The script, which is written by Gerwig, is one of the reasons why the film works so well. It is filled with larger-than-life characters, witty dialogue and realistic situations. Each of these elements is worth discussing, but the dialogue is what stands out the most. Sharp, witty and hilarious, it is extremely well-written. Each scene is elevated by the dialogue and made all the more believable. Take, for example, a scene in which Lady Bird argues with her mother. The dialogue reveals a lot about the characters and their stormy relationship. It is one of the most realistic mother/daughter scenes I’ve seen in a long time.
In terms of acting, it is hard to not admire the fantastic performances from the cast. In the year’s most star-studded ensemble, every actor gets the chance to shine and leave a lasting impression. However, its really the two main actresses who carry the film on their shoulders.
Saoirse Ronan delivers one of the best performances of her career as the titular character. Charming, genuine and often hilarious, she is utterly believable in the role of a teenager. In fact, Ronan is so believable that at times you almost forget that she is acting. Through emotional expressions, she captures the angst, confusion and rebellious streak that any teenager will be able to identify with. It’s a remarkable performance from one of the finest actresses working today and deserves to be recognized come awards season.
Laurie Metcalf is heartbreaking in the role of a demanding but loving mother. It’s a challenging role that requires a lot from the actress, but Metcalf does it full justice. She conveys both the warmth and frustration that mothers feel towards their teenage daughters in times of need. It’s a powerful performance that is sure to resonate with any mother that has a teenage daughter.
Although “Lady Bird” is well-acted, it is not quite the masterpiece that critics have made it out to be. As is the case with most directorial debuts, it is not a film without flaws. The only issue I had with the film is the slow pacing, which makes it seems longer than it is. At a running time of 93 minutes, the movie moves at a brisk pace but drags towards the end. A little more attention to the pacing would have elevated the film to another level.
Nevertheless, “Lady Bird” is an unforgettable coming-of-age film that is worth seeking out. If you’ve ever fought with your parents, experienced first love or had big dreams, this will film will definitely resonate with you. Let’s just say that if you’re a teenager, there is no way that “Lady Bird” won’t move you.
4.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 
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