Lady Bird

In the year 2002, Catholic high school senior Christine McPherson, self-named "Lady Bird," is an impetuous girl literally from the wrong side of the tracks who's at a critical stage in her life: she's continually at odds with her mother, despises her mundane life in Sacramento, and wants to go to college on the east coast in a city with culture. Her ordinary life suddenly takes a turn when she has to deal with popularity, discovering boys and romance, and coping with the problems of people other than her own. Cute, quirky, and thoughtful coming-of-age story is one everyone can relate to, with the all-important themes of teen angst, adolescence, and ambition; colorful dialogue, well-drawn characters, and believable situations are only elevated by a talented cast of actors. Twenty-three-year-old Ronan perfectly embodies the spirit of a self-absorbed teenager in all her complexities, making it easy for viewers to recall a similar time period in their lives. ***

Where many movies about teenagers and high school fail, Ladybird is able to succeed... This 2017, Oscar nominated movie, made by female director Greta Gerwig, is a coming-of-age tale that follows Christine McPherson, "Ladybird," in her final year of high school. Ladybird manages to be a realistic and nostalgic take on the experiences of a teenage girl, all while being hilarious to the audience. This is something most high school movies fail at and it can make any actual high school student feel patronized. Ladybird is never patronizing and even celebrates what it's like to be a teenage girl. Saoirse Ronan, Christine, and Laurie Metcalf, Marion, are an amazing duo as Mother and daughter and the chemistry between them is visible. They manage to capture the highs and lows of a mother-daughter relationship at that point in life. The point between childhood and adulthood, where a teenage girl needs her mother, but needs a taste of independence just as much. Relatable and tender, Ladybird is perfect for any small-town teenager who has ever dreamt of something more from life. Christine's drive to get into the college of her choice is both relatable and inspiring. Christine's two romantic relationships throughout the movie, while being funny, can feel all two familiar to any teenage girl. The sudden ending of the movie may leave some viewers unsatisfied, I would argue that it is the perfect ending. Although that chapter of Christine's life is over and the movie is done, it doesn't mean Christine's story is done altogether.

This coming of age movie is finely written and directed by Greta Gerwig. She loosely bases the story on her own experiences growing up in Sacramento. The main character, Christine, is 17 years old and calls herself « Lady Bird ». I like her free spirit. Saoirse Ronan fully embodies the role, bringing her energy and her sense of humor. She gives a great performance, as does Laurie Metcalf. Both actresses perfectly capture the complex relationship between a mother and her daughter. The rest of the cast is also good, especially Lucas Hedges and Timothée Chalamet who play the boyfriends. The scenes with them are indeed funny and colorful. This bittersweet comedy deserves to be seen. It's a refreshing portrayal of teenage life.

Writer and director Greta Gerwig of the film Lady Bird does a splendid job at casually touching on many prominent issues that teenagers face growing up in America. It doesn't make it obvious and it doesn't make feel like it's trying to make some PSA. But the main character Christine McPherson or Lady Bird which is the name she has given herself and is the names she's prefers everyone to call her by. Lives through her senior year and experiences many difficult experiences as she makes the transition from High School into college. It captures in a unique way many aspects of the struggle of high school, trying to fit in with the cool crowd even if it means you might lose something. And juggling family life with school life or with boyfriends. It's entertaining to see the unexpected behavior of lady bird, like in the opening scene of the movie when she argues with her mother and she gets so fed up with her mother she opens the car door and jumps out of a moving vehicle. From the very start we see Christine's impulsive behavior, but it's that impulsive behavior that leads her to learn and make mistakes and eventually will lead to finding herself. Gerwig reveals this story about a girl in a poor family trying to make it through her senior year of highs school in Sacramento. Her dream is to attend a college in New York but financial issues and her mother are keeping her from making that dream reality. With her best friend Julie by her side to battle through High School they are always there for each other. Where Gerwig does a brilliant job is in the script. With every interaction Lady Bird has with someone else it brings us deeper into who she is and what's she's trying to accomplish. Every argument with her mother or impulsive action brings a depth into her character that makes it easier to understand why she does what she does. I also think that the setting, especially the time period, of this movie is important. It's in 2002 where cell phones are just starting and not everyone has them. It's more of a wealthy person item and it also helps veer away from the Instagram and Snapchat obsessive lives that most kids have today. This movie also connects very well with audience members especially teenagers in school right now because it just shows the raw life of a teenager. There's no sugar coating or anything like that, just harsh and real conditions. But People are intrigued by things they can relate to because it makes you think. It makes you think about your own life compared to the movie and this movie definitely connects to a lot of viewers out there. Also the mother and daughter or just kid to parent relationship will resonate with a lot of the viewers out there. One of the more weaker aspects of the film was probably one of the last scenes of the movie where Lady Bird gets drunk and ends up in a hospital. The scene wasn't well put together and fast. Also the acting in that particular part wasn't that great and it just seemed like a the doctor that had like one line was just bad at trying to be a doctor. Gerwig simply captures the highs and lows, the happy and sad, the dirty and beautiful moments of teenage life that is unparalleled to any other movie. That is why the movie is so good, because it reveals all of those things about High School in such a fresh and perfect way. It is also brings to life many situations we all have been apart of or will be a part of that makes relive those moments, and that what draws everyone to this movie, because you can connect to it.

Lady Bird is surprisingly set in a post-9/11 Sacramento in 2002 , which is an un-usual but refreshing era for a modern coming-of-age story. While coming of age stories can often fall in to their charming but conventional trappings, Lady Bird shines in that it doesn't shy away from showing the faults of the characters it follows throughout its run time, almost to the point that you want to see even more of their journeys through life.

Lady Bird has excellent cinematography and believable characters with identifiable flaws and traits that really ground the movie. Lady Bird takes influence from the 'mumblecore' sub genre (a drama with emphasis on natural dialogue and personal character relationships over plot) and ties it nicely with a coming of age structure that doesn't over stay its welcome and definitely takes its own path you can relate to as a viewer.

Saoirse Ronan is particularly charming as our main character and bounces well with Laurie Metcalf and Tracy Letts filling in as her parents. The movie addresses a few subjects that aren't touched upon in most conventional coming of age movies, which gives the film a mature feeling. Particularly the 15 certificate in the UK meant the film didn't have to pander towards a younger audience, which is exactly want you want as a viewer of this genre because teenagers swear, talk about sex and abuse alcohol/drugs.

Some viewers may find its general pacing, structure and tone to be not particularly entertaining and up beat as many other coming of age movies but I found it enjoyable, funny and grounded. The soundtrack also wasn't particularly that memorable but does include some nods towards that era and adds some licensed tracks that some may appreciate.

A decent coming of age movie that shakes genre conventions but nothing particularly groundbreaking.