Review of Lady Bird (2017) by Brandon O — 08 Mar 2018

Lady Bird is one of those film's that sucked me in, where I just stopped looking for things that were wrong with the movie, because the truth is there is nothing wrong with it. While it doesn't really offer anything original, everything about the movie is so good that any of the faults of the movie, if there are any, are insignificant compared to all its strength's. While I was apprehensive at the thought of Ronan playing the main character because of how old she is, my doubts were quickly swept away. Not only does Ronan give a phenomenal performance here, but everyone in the movie gives it their all, and it is just a spectacle to watch. The fact that this is the first movie Greta Gerwig directed really shows how talented she is, and I will definitely keep my eye out for her next work.

But I think what I love most about this movie is its visuals and style. It reminds me of the works of Wes Anderson and French cinematography. The natural lighting, and highlight of character over story, yet the use of bright colors and backdrops, and characters that are unique, charming, and quirky in their own way. It all blends together to create a wonderfully beautiful film.

Saoirse Ronan plays the titular "Lady Bird", a girl who yearns to be seen as smart, cultured, and beautiful. And as she grows, and learns, and becomes a woman, she loses things, and gains things as we all do as we grow up. I might normally find such a character annoying in a film, but she is just so well written that I love Ronan's portrayal. It's sweet, its endearing, it's sad, it's cringy, it's everything that makes being a teenager, a teenager. The whiny, self obsessed teenager that hates the world and everybody is just a delight here.

Her relationship with her family is really the central plot of the movie, and normally while I hate the feel good, family themed movies I was joyed when the scenes cut to Lady Bird in her house. Her mother is the typical "i don't understand my ungrateful daughter" character, but it doesn't get to bad. While I think they may over overplayed the part just a little bit, the scenes of Lady Bird and her mom connecting and understanding each others view points and very heartwarming. And her dad is a great character who gets just the right amount of screen time. While Lady Bird's ambitions stretch beyond her families wealth, her dad takes it all in stride as a father that anyone would be lucky to have growing up.

This is a film I will definitely watch again some day. It's a very heartwarming movie that touches you deep down and lifts up your spirits. It makes you smile, and appreciate your own family, and everything you have in life.