Review of Lady Bird (2017) by Lane Z — 11 Dec 2017

Writer/Director/Actor Greta Gerwig hops behind the camera for the critically acclaimed Lady Bird, a coming of age tale about a young high school kid played by Saoirse Ronan. While the film offers what some might consider an accurate portrayal of life in Sacramento circa 2002 (considering Gerwig was raised there), it ultimately remains rooted to the ground as a pretty ho-hum offering, much like the city it was shot in.

Let's not get this twisted, though. Ronan was a great casting addition as Lady Bird (Christine). Her American accent was flawless, and the 23-year-old did not have to backtrack much to play a 17-year-old teenager on the cusp of graduating and going to college. It's just a shame her story was relatively bland. This will certainly vary from audience member to member, but I had no relations with the main character as a white, Jewish, and moderately affluent kid raised in a much larger city. I could easily separate my situation from hers to at least enjoy the film, but it certainly led me down a thought process of just wanting to see positive things happen for Lady Bird instead of worrying about sharing any emotions with the character.

The strength of this story lies in the cast of her family. Laurie Metcalf and Tracy Letts put on a show, especially when it comes to their relationship with Lady Bird. Most mothers and daughters will easily relate to the tightly-wound relationship these two have with each other that runs hot and cold at the flick of a switch.

I won't call this one of the best films of the year because I still think there are other directors who tackle coming-of-age stories better. Ronan's Lady Bird spits fire and is an excitable character to follow and see succeed from her climb out of adolescence into adulthood, but I just wasn't wowed by the journey.