You may look at Lady Bird and think it’s just another cliche coming-of-age movie, but it felt like so much more than that. Lady Bird does delve into the typical first-love and first-heartbreak plot, as well as the falling-out-with-your-best-friend trope which every teen movie seems to have, but it also dives into the world of graduation stress, mental health, sexuality and money issues. For an hour and a half long film, Lady Bird covers a whole range of topics, whilst remaining an entertaining film. It never once feels like too many issues have been piled into it, nor does it feel like these issues are only glanced at, but rather each factor is presented and dealt with perfectly.
Lady Bird, aka Christine aka Saoirse Ronan, as a character is amazingly multi-dimensional, you both love her and feel exasperated by her at the same time, which, in my opinion, shows an excellent character. She’s growing up, she’s wanting to experience life and move away - it’s normal that she’s going to ruffle a few feathers, and that’s exactly what she does. The layers of her personality make her a great character, but it also makes the film what it is. I think the whole point of having her as a multifaceted character makes her so much more real, and as a result, makes it easier for us to connect with her. Despite the constant arguments with her mother, she is always there to defend her, similarly to how, despite the heartbreak she felt about Danny, she was still there for him and they maintained a great friendship.
The familial issues of which the movie dealt with were presented to us so truthfully, allowing us to sympathise with the McPherson family as they cope with financial strain, mental health and the stress of a slightly rebellious teen. This aspect appeals to everyone, as those who have experience with these issues feel an emotional bond with the characters, and those who don’t, gain an insight into a reality which many families face. Lady Bird presents us with so many dynamic relationships, particularly within the McPherson family: the father wanting to always please his daughter no matter what; the mother’s more straightforward attitude towards money and opportunities; the tension between Christine and her mother which often arises from a combination of love and frustration; and the awkwardness between a brother and sister who don’t know how to connect with one another. However, the movie constantly reiterates that despite all of this, family always has your back, and I think that is beautiful and perfectly presented by Saoirse, the rest of the cast, and Greta Gerwig.
Those of us who’ve moved away for Uni, or moved away from our family in general, are able to feel some sort of a connection with Lady Bird, especially when your decision was going against your family’s wishes. My family wanted me to remain closer to home when I was applying to Uni, but I knew that I wanted to broaden my horizons and explore somewhere further away, similar to Christine. The disputes about staying closer to home, whilst in her case was a financial issue, felt to be a reflection in some ways to my life, as many of my family wondered why I applied to a university so far away, especially when there were three within a twenty minute radius from my house. Instead, I moved to the opposite end of the country, North to South, similarly to how Lady Bird moved from the West Coast to the East.
However, the ending in particular resonated with me. The stunning scene where Lady Bird reflected on her first drive back into Sacramento, recalling the beauty she finally noticed in her home town, reminded me of my trip back home at Christmas, after I’d been away for three months. I felt so happy to be back, knowing that my city was incredible, realising how much love I actually had for the place. I know that Lady Bird didn’t regret moving away, and nor do I, but I found something that resonated with me in the way it took her taking control of her life and finding true independence to be able to recognise the love for her city.
The way in which Gerwig directed this scene added so much more meaning to the finale, especially as she showed the parallels and unbreakable bond between Lady Bird and her mother, showing that despite their arguments, they’re more alike than either of them realise. Gerwig’s script was beautiful throughout, providing us with a rollercoaster of emotions, which were amplified by the exceptional acting of the cast. Laurie Metcalf’s acting surrounding the scene where Marion dropped Christine off at the airport was phenomenal. The way in which she presented her heartbreak without speaking once was incredible to watch, and we saw her battle to remain steady until she met up once more with Larry. That scene was so powerful to witness, and I feel it resonates with any parent who can’t bear to part with their child, despite the strained relationship they may have.
I 100% recommend this movie to anyone who has had experience in living through their final year of high school before uni, or anyone who is close to doing so. This heartwarming film is a perfect one to watch with your mum, as it represents that unbreakable bond between a mother and her daughter, whilst showing the ups and downs of a teenage girl's life. Lady Bird is perfectly directed, and superbly acted and I can’t recommend this movie enough.