Lady Bird
2017 · Directed by Greta Gerwig
Original language: English
- drama
- comedy
The story
Lady Bird McPherson, a strong willed, deeply opinionated, artistic 17 year old comes of age in Sacramento. Her relationship with her mother and her upbringing are questioned and tested as she plans to head off to college.
What it’s like
Warm, slightly scruffy natural light fills Sacramento interiors and suburban streets, with handheld camera work that stays close to its young heroine's face and drifts into easy, observant wide shots of parked cars, dusty lawns and Catholic school hallways. The palette runs to faded yellows, dusty pinks and sun-washed greens, and the texture is soft and filmic without feeling nostalgic-polished. The score is light and unfussy, with indie-pop needle drops that punctuate rather than swell. The vibe is wry, bittersweet and affectionate, the feeling of a long, warm afternoon when everything still feels like it might change. Pacing is brisk and episodic, with sharp, quick-talking comedy giving way to quieter scenes of tenderness and friction. The emotional arc follows a headstrong teenager and her prickly, devoted mother learning, slowly and painfully, how to love each other from a little distance. Intensity is low: some strong language, teen drinking, sexual situations handled frankly but not explicitly, and no violence beyond a brief scuffle. It suits a rainy Sunday, a comfort rewatch, or anyone who wants a funny, honest film about growing up and leaving home without melodrama.
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