Review of Lady Bird (2017) by Brian S — 06 Mar 2018

The Coming-of-Age movie is such a varied, long-lasting genre-to name a few from 1955s Rebel Without a Cause to 1984s Sixteen Candles, 1998s Rushmore, 2011s Perk of Being A Wallflower-there is really no definitive answer for how filmmakers can slam down that stamp of resonance, connecting with an audience.

Step up Greta Gerwig as she has put her hat in this (angsty) ring with 2017s Lady Bird-a deceptively simple story about a senior going through her last year in a Catholic high school. Written and directed by Gerwig, the film takes place in the early aughts, with an autobiographical nature to it, coupled with an authenticity and uniqueness that immediately makes Lady Bird stand out as much as the films young heroine.

Saoirse Ronan continues her amazingly young career in the lead role that is brimming with brightness, a tenacious energy and a youthful boldness that perfectly compliments Gerwig's confident filmmaking (being her second to film since 2008s Nights and Weekends).

Rounded out with a great score by Jon Brion, beautiful cinematography by Sam Levy and focused direction by Gerwig, Lady Bird is a worthy and unique entry to the Coming-of-Age genre and a sleeper surprise for 2017.