Lady Bird
5/5
Written and Directed by: Greta Gerwig
Rated: R
To say cinemas are inundated with real life movies every year is an understatement. To say most of these stories are any good is an overstatement. To claim that Lady Bird is one of the greatest real to life films of all time is an accurate statement. To describe exactly why Lady Bird is one of the greatest films is a difficult statement. Perhaps the best way to explain why Lady Bird is worth seeing in theatres, would be to heed the advice from the film's director, Greta Gerwig, and take it one step at a time. In an interview with Vimeo.com Gerwig states that the filmmaking process is "about making sure each scene is the most effective it can be, that it communicates everything in the most succinct form."
Lady Bird is the story of a teenager in high-school who fights with her mom, loves her best friend, embraces romance and chases dreams. Her take on life is similar to one of her favorite singers, Alanis Morissette, she "hasn't quite figured it out just yet." Though the film is not purposefully heart wrenching or intentionally depressing, it has the ability to stir up palpable and painful emotions. This makes it sound like the screenplay is just going to be another pity fest full of clichés, but Lady Bird is not cliché. This film has the guts to do what most slice of life movies are scared to do, be true to life. It will not be out of the ordinary for audience members to every now and then think, "I've done that," or "That's exactly what's it like," or "I know people like that." Some audience members may think this film was improvised, but Gerwig made sure that there was no improvisation in Lady Bird. All of the sincere dialogue, back and forth banter and genuine humor amongst the film's cast was written by Gerwig.
Lady Bird's incredible screenplay is brought to life by an admirable cast, comprised of performances that are timeless and tangible. It seems every character believes they are the protagonist, which makes each performance in this ensemble stand out in its own exceptional way. Saoirse Ronan is the rebellious yet kind hearted Christine "Lady Bird" McPherson, Laurie Metcalf is her well intentioned high spirited mother, and Beanie Feldstein is Lady Bird's best friend. In addition to these phenomenal performances, this film also features exemplary work from alumni and rising stars Lucas Hedges, Tracy Letts, Lois Smith, Stephen Henderson, Odeya Rush, Timothee Chalamet and the rest of the cast of Lady Bird.
Just because a film has good dialogue and memorable characters doesn't necessarily make it an amazing movie, but Lady Bird also has good technical aspects. Cinematographer Sam Levy does an excellent job shooting suburbia (thrift stores, Catholic high-school, a coffee shop, single story homes, etc.) while highlighting its unique and mundane aspects. The film was shot on location in Sacramento, California, and it is not meant to look like an immaculate, only the best buildings, color corrected, picture perfect Sacramento. It is meant to look like Sacramento, honest but beautiful.
Lady Bird's editing is also terrific. This film's crisp stream of consciousness pacing gives the illusion that this story is a series of memories. The story unfolds, as if each scene were a journal or diary entry that Lady Bird is looking back on. She lets her memories linger on her favorite moments, she finds herself pleasantly surprised when she recalls a time she almost forgot and she nearly loses her breath when she is overwhelmed by something poignant and impactful that has changed her life. This dueling pacing between "gone in a blink" and "it may never end" keeps each second of this 94 minute film flying free and grounded in reality.
Lady Bird also has a well constructed soundtrack and an iconic score. This film's musical selection is just like a 2002 high-school senior's playlist, with songs from Ani DiFRanco, HAIM and the Dave Matthews Band. The way these songs are integrated into the plot is clever and can make people who have listened to these songs hear them with a new perspective. The film's score also does a fantastic job offering each scene a sense of new familiarity. In an interview with the Academy musical composer Jon Brion said Lady Bird's score is meant to reflect "that moment in somebody's life [when] you sense there's supposed to be more, but you can't articulate it yet....It's a point you can find yourself in multiple times in your life."
Every aspect of Lady Bird is designed to near perfection. Gerwig was committed to making this film the best it could possibly be, and it shows. Lady Bird is a soaring achievement and one worth experiencing in theatres, on home release or from Red box. It does not matter how, but anyone who is a fan of cinema, a son or daughter, mother or father or a lover of life should see Lady Bird.
Verdict: Lady Bird is one of the most compelling, painfully accurate and emotionally human experiences audience members may ever have in theatres, at home or anywhere in their life.
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