Much like the man himself, Larry Bird, Lady Bird is just really good
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(Scott Rudin Productions)[/caption]
Lady Bird is written and directed by Greta Gerwig, and stars Saoirse Ronan as the titled character Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson. She wants everyone in her life to call her “Lady Bird” rather than her given name of Christine. This is a story of discovery and finding out who you are and where you belong in life. It’s a coming of age tale, told in a different way, and Greta Gerwig in her first solo outing as director knocks it out of the park. “Lady Bird” is trying to figure out who she is and what she wants to do with her life, in the final months of her senior year in high school. She’s applying to colleges, meeting boys and all around just trying to find out where she fits in. Living in Sacramento she really wants to go to an out of State school, but financially it just might not work. Unlike most coming of age tales told in the view of a girl, this one doesn’t really focus much on her romantic life, yes she meets boys and has experiences with them, but this tale is all about the mother/daughter relationship. Enter Laurie Metcalf who plays “Lady Birds” mother Marion. She’s a workaholic who does double shifts at the hospital, runs the household, takes care of two kids, and provides for the entire family. Her and “Lady Bird” do not see eye-to-eye. In fact the very first moments of the movie, the two are arguing in the car and “Lady Bird” gets so fed up that she throws herself out the car door, while they are still driving! I honestly didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at this very moment, and it was actually at that exact moment when I knew I would really enjoy this film. I didn’t watch any trailers for this, I simply went because of word of mouth. I enjoyed this movie immensely, it was a nice change of pace, having seen a ton of blockbusters lately. The directing and acting are both phenomenal and I’m sure you will be hearing about Lady Bird come Oscar season.
Like I mentioned above, this movie is all about the mother/daughter relationship. “Lady Bird” and her mother make each others lives very difficult as they are completely opposite personalities and are rarely on the same page. The dynamic between them and their relationship was just really refreshing to watch, because it just felt so real and authentic. “Lady Bird” just wants her mother to accept who she is, and she feels as thought her mother does love her, she doesn’t necessarily “like her.” “Lady Bird” is a very unique individual and everyday she aspires to be something different. From her friends, to the clothes she wears to the school she wants to go to the following year. This all wears and tears on her mother, who is simply just trying to keep up with her daughter. “Lady Bird” isn’t a rebel per say, but she acts in rebellious ways from time to time, mostly to impress others. She joins the school play in an attempt to help her college applications, she works two jobs because her family can’t financially put her through college. Working doubles at the psychiatric hospital can only go so far, due to the fact that “Lady Birds” father is out of work, and is having an extremely hard time finding new work.
All of the performances are incredible, Saoirse and Laurie are probably up for Oscar nominations and rightfully so. They both shine and their banter back and forth and their conversations and interactions felt so real and authentic, that you wonder how much of this dialogue was just improvised. Lucas Hedges who plays one of “Lady Birds” love interests is also really good in this. Everyone just feels so real in this movie. You are just place in the middle of scenes and it comes across so natural but at the same time you wish you knew what these characters were talking about before the scene started. Beanie Feldstein plays Julie, “Lady Birds” lovable best friend. She serves as sort of the comedic relief and the voice of reason to “Lady Bird.” You really start to care for all these people and by the time the movie is finishing you wish you could spend more time with them, because there is a lot more to explore with all of them. The movie is only 93 minutes long so it flies by, so when it’s conclusion rolls around, I was unhappy with the fact that it was ending the way it did. That is probably my only critique of this movie, I was just unhappy with the ending, because I wanted more time with these characters and it kind of just ended abruptly. When that happens you know you just sat through an incredible movie experience and that’s what going to the movies is all about.
Lady Bird is about identity, not knowing who you are and wanting to be someone else, but in the end you realize that you are perfect just the way you are, and you shouldn’t try to be something you’re not. Sometimes finding your way through life can be difficult, but you will always have people supporting you, wether you want to believe that or not. This movie should be nominated for awards and it might even win a few, take you Mom to go see this movie, it’s just a really enjoyable experience.
Check ya later.
Nate’s Movie Tour Reviews – Lady Bird = 93/100
