Lady Bird (2017)

Director: Greta Gerwig
Stars: Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Tracy Letts
Runtime: 94 minutes

Synopsis: In 2002, an artistically inclined seventeen-year-old girl comes of age in Sacramento, California.

Performances: 9/10
Screenplay: 8/10
Editing: 7/10
Cinematography: 7/10
Score/Soundtrack: 6/10

Verdict: Obviously inspired by some aspects of her own upbringing, Greta Gerwig's directorial debut serves as much more than a regular coming of age story. The Oscar-nominated film, which holds a score of 99% on Rotten Tomatoes, follows the last few months of the rebellious Christine's Catholic high school days and her struggles to fit in a world clearly not designed for her. It's a dramatic yet comedic look at the importance of finding one's own voice without taking anything for granted. The relationship between the self-named "Lady Bird" and her mother, respectfully played by the talented Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf, is one of the film's driving factors and one of the film's most interesting elements. But what made the watch such a great one is how layered every character and relationship felt, and how uplifting and genuine the tone was. It's impossible not to end the film without a smile on your face despite it not always being cheerful. Gerwig clearly knew the direction she wanted to take with that narrative, and it really did come across like a small gem that wouldn't have worked had it been handed to somebody else.
Aside from a few minor issues that mostly had to do with some comedic scenes I thought didn't entirely fit within the movie's tone as well as some underdeveloped subplots I wish were given more attention, I can safely say that "Lady Bird" absolutely deserves the acclaim it reserved and then some. It's a light and short watch that will most certainly stick with you for a long time, especially if you're a fan of the coming-of-age genre.

Final Grade: 8/10