Writer: Greta Gerwig
DOP: Sam Levy
Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Tracy Letts
In 2002, an artistically inclined (self-declared) seventeen-year-old girl comes of age in Sacramento, California. She has a very difficult relationship, typical teenage kind, with her mother who wants her to pursue her college studies in Sacramento itself while she wants to go to a college in New-York, which is apparently the place for artsy fartsy kind of people. She is currently studying in a catholic school and is also going through friendship and relationship struggles that are typically associated with the age.
The film is kind of semi-autobiographical in mood and tone rather than events wise. I was predisposed to dislike the film because of the Oscar buzz associated with it and has never been a big fan of actor-turned directors. It won me over by the 30-minute mark and is a fine watch. There are portions where you think it is doing the typical teenage coming of age tropes but remains somehow fresh in its treatment. That is probably because it never stresses too much on one aspect of her life- her friendships, romantic relationships or her relationship with her family members. Ultimately, the film is about her relationship with her mother but both of them are portrayed as quite flawed. Have seen some people complaining about hers being an unlikable character which is something I don't really get. Films are not meant to have you follow a protagonist that can only be likable. It is only about 90 minutes long and leave you wanting more which is always a good thing.
There have been some comparisons with 'The Edge of Seventeen' but Lady Bird is even more rawer and thus less cinematic. Even more apt comparison would be with this year's 'Columbus', which was another coming of age drama where the protagonist is contemplating leaving her hometown to pursue studies/career. In Columbus, she doesn't want to leave the hometown in order to take care of her mother while in Lady Bird it is just the opposite. Both of them are great watches, filmed in contrasting styles and moods. I have been a great fan of Greta Gerwig's collaborations with Noah Baumbach and it is good to see her jump seamlessly into directing. The film has earned five nominations: Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Director, Best Supporting Actress and Best Original screenplay. It wouldn't be surprising if it wins Best Picture since the others involved are not that universally liked (Three Billboards & Shape of Water).
Rating: 4.5/5
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