So this was finally released in the UK, luckily just before the 2018 Academy Awards. All I'd heard about this film was 'coming of age story' and Oscar nominated. That doesn't sound that thrilling to me but alright. Found out it's a film from A24 and became more interested in Greta Gerwig's directorial debut.
Lady Bird, played by Saoirse Ronan, a name she gave herself in her rebellious teenage phase, is in the last year of highschool navigating her way to university. She has her first serious boyfriend, that doesn't work out, has her first big fall out with her best friend, that of course comes back around. Becomes popular for the first time, has sex for the first time and has her biggest argument with her mother for the first, and hopefully last time.
Saoirse Ronan is 3rd time Oscar nominated and at such a young age that's an amazing feat. Her accent is good, her character is annoying but just about likeable over that. I mean teenagers are annoying, we all were, she's not meant to be great, teenagers are dumb and that's okay. She argues with her mum and you just think, was that necessary? Did you have to talk back to her? Did you have to make a big deal out of something that isn't a big deal? You watch her self-sabotage her relationship with her mum and you wonder whether it was worth it. To me it seemed a bit extreme but I imagine many related to that type of relationship. They have some heartfelt conversations about it which definitely emulate mother daughter relationships.
Lady Bird's parents are great, very real, their relationship strained with money issues and of course tensions of Lady Bird leaving the nest. Laurie Metcalfe is wonderful as her mother, really hits the honesty that I think mum's have where they don't humour you. Tracy Letts is a great father figure, shows some vulnerability which adds to the authenticity of the relationships he has with his wife, Lady Bird and his son, Miguel.
The young cast are all likable in spite of their immaturities, and that's often where the jokes come from. Timothee Chalamet is fantastic of course, a little douchey but honest, typical teenage boy. He has a great line to Lady Bird in which he says, 'you're gonna have so much unspecial sex in your life'. Which I think is quite honest for what is essentially a teen drama/comedy. Lucas Hedges was also very sweet as Lady Bird's first love and they maintain a relationship throughout though it may not be exactly what she was looking for to begin with. And gotta give props to Beanie Feldstein who is a great best friend, is so sweet and likeable you feel like you've watched her before. I imagine she'll be in a lot more than just Bad Neighbours 2 (2016).
The film looked nice sure, there were a few subtleties as the film was set in 2002. Mostly fashion and mobile phones date the film but they do discuss 9/11 in a slightly different way than we do now. Most of A24's films I've found have a prominent use of natural lighting and this is no different. The music was also great and again a nod to the time which is now scarily 16 years ago. It's also pretty well edited, you don't notice it too much but that's a good sign.
I thought this film may be quite unlike any other other Best Picture nominees but Call Me By Your Name (2017) is a beautiful telling of teenage love which arguable boasts more relatable in the realm of heartbreak. It also follows the relationship with his parents, albeit it a different one to Ladybird but still has that coming of age difficulty. I'd recommend both, though Lady Bird does have some sad moments it is more light hearted overall.
Both moving, both incredible, both Oscar nommed. 7/10 for Ladybird surprisingly funny, and pretty damn touching.
CINEMATES - A
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