Lady Bird

'Lady Bird' is written and directed by Greta Gerwig and stars Saoirse Ronan as Christine "Lady Bird" McPherson. "Lady Bird" is name she gave herself as a rebellious act against her mother Marion played wonderfully by Laurie Metcalf. Lady Bird even remarks near the end film that 'some people won't believe in God but they'll just accept a name given to them by their parents'. Ronan's title character is one of the most rebellious and defiant lead characters of the year topped only by Frances McDormand's Mildred Hayes in 'Three Billboards'. It's very entertaining and at times poignant to watch her verbally spar with her mother over something as tedious as straightening a bed cover in a hotel room. This is testament to both the cast and Gerwig's script which keeps things feeling fresh and new in every scene.

Although I do like this film I don't quite love it like most people do and all the enormous praise it has received over the past few months as lead to being considered one of if not the best film of the year. For me it's not quite up there although it was very pleasant and entertaining to watch. There is a great sense of place present in the movie and it's clear that Gerwig and her title character really do actually love Sacramento as the latter begins to realize when speaking with a nun (Lois Smith) at her school towards the end of the film.

The movie has a great ensemble cast including Tracy Letts, Lucas Hedges and Timothee Chalamet who all give decent turns as their respective vital characters. However, it really is carried by Ronan and Metcalf and the best moments are when they are sharing scenes together. It is crazy to think that Ronan who is good in literally everything is on her third Oscar nomination with this film. But then again considering the talent she has maybe it's not crazy at all but expected. So all in all, 'Lady Bird' is a sweet, heartwarming coming-of-age tale that pulls you in with its intriguing script and keeps you their with its magnetic performances.

Offbeat and off brand, Greta Gerwig's 2017 major studio directorial debut 'Lady Bird' is a tale of angst, stress and a strive for perfection and acceptance. The 2002-set film showcases Sacramento in all its glory - or perhaps, lack thereof - and puts Academy Award-nominee Saorise Ronan in the driver's seat to make an impact on audiences.

Think of it as a more mainstream, female 'Napoleon Dynamite,' the themes in 'Bird' are common ones that many young adults can identify with during the confusing, competitive high school years. At the center of the film is Ronan's title character (née, Christine), who stops at nothing to escape her hometown for the east coast while battling her mother, Marion (Laurie Metcalf). This rivalry dominates the entire film and helps us understand how one's environment growing up can have a major impact on their choices in life. Between jumping out of moving vehicles, disrupting assemblies at her Catholic high school and struggling with early love, Lady Bird stumbles her way through senior year in pursuit of being part of the "in crowd."

Of course, this premise offers Gerwig a lot to work with, and her signature dramedic, deadpan tone is a constant throughout 'Bird.' Everything from the way scenes are shot to the quirky music selection are dripping with proverbial eye rolls, and they all work. Sure, there are a few moments that could cause general audiences gasp, but most of them are done in a way that is not mean-spirited or in poor taste. Aside from Ronan's A+ performance, others in the supporting cast don't disappoint, from Lucas Hedges to Timothée Chalamet.

'Lady Bird' was not a monster hit, but it has the building blocks to become a cult classic for this generation, similar to the way 'Dynamite' did nearly 15 years ago, and sets up Gerwig and Ronan to become even bigger stars than they already are.

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.

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.

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. ***