Greta Gerwig’s directorial debut Lady Bird is one of the most iconic coming-of-age films of the 21st century.
Set in 2002 Sacramento, it revolves around the life of 17-year-old Christine (Lady Bird), who is a rebellious and angsty teen figuring out her relationships and identity. Whether it be Lady Bird’s tumultuous yet affectionate relationship with her mother, her high school crushes, or her funny moments with her best friend, Gerwig has stitched a story that feels extremely real.
With the warm colouring and its relatable dialogues, the film provides comfort like a hot cup of coffee. As someone who, like Lady Bird, is also a senior in high school at the brink of adulthood, the scenes tick all the milestones and rollercoaster emotions that one feels at this age. The anxiety and excitement, approval and disapproval of who you are, the need to rebel yet conform, and contradictory fluctuating feelings are perfectly portrayed in the film.
Lady Bird, played by Saoirse Ronan, is eager to escape her boring hometown and go to a place like New York which, according to her, has “culture”. In her rejection of all that was assigned to her — like her real name and Christianity — she is like any teen: desperate to create her own identity.
Lady Bird is a character so complex and flawed that you both simultaneously hate her and relate to her. She steals magazines, leaves her real friend for the popular girl, and lies about where she lives because she is embarrassed by her family’s financial status. Her faults and mistakes are what make her character seem more than just your average teen movie protagonist. This movie is filled with all the quintessential characters and plotlines that are familiar but is also intricately packed with serious discussions. Showing issues outside of the ones that exist in Lady Bird’s bubble, like sexuality, depression, death, and class, there is a certain depth to this film that makes it special.
Perhaps, where the movie subverts most from the typical coming-of-age films is the variety of relationships it examines. Lady Bird is a love story for the ages, not because of the two boys that Lady Bird falls for but because of the intense yet endearing relationship that she has with her mother. The movie starts and ends with their relationship, which is truly the crux of this story.
In one of the scenes, Lady Bird’s teacher asks her — “Don’t you think they’re the same thing? Love and attention?” Love truly is just attention, to be loved is to be known and seen by someone. Even though their strong personalities clashed, Lady Bird and her mother paid attention to each other, and all their actions were imbued with deep and, sometimes, misplaced care.
Lady Bird’s mother meticulously sews her dress or constantly corrects her because she wants her to be the best version of herself. Lady Bird, meanwhile, defends her mother when she is labelled ‘scary’, saying she just has a big heart. Or her recognition that her mum is hard on her because she loves her.
Love actually is not grand actions and big declarations, but is found in the small silent subtle moments that we share. Perhaps the most profound expression of love is trying to understand and be considerate of who someone else is. This film urges you to do exactly that, whether it is a teen or a parent watching. You are able to sympathise with the characters and feel the need to better understand those around you. It’s that poignant reminder that this is everyone’s first time trying to navigate this complicated confusing thing called life. Be it your mother or your daughter, everyone is just trying their best.
Lady Bird is more than just a drama comedy. I would sincerely recommend this movie to anyone who wants to see a heartful reflection on self-discovery and transformation. It strikes this intricate balance of emotional and sarcastic dialogues wrapped in phenomenal performances. One can feel the attention that Gerwig has paid to each line and scene. With each new watch, I discover some new detail that intrigues me. There is this authenticity in its portrayal of life and relationships that would touch people of any age. With the multitude of different and fleshed-out characters it shows, you will resonate with all of them in some way.
In this all-too-complicated world, Lady Bird will assure you that you are not alone on this arduous journey. The film emphasises that love exists in the mundane moments around you, you just have to pay attention to it!
Rishika Kumar is a Class 11 student of Dhirubhai Ambani International School. She is a voracious reader of varied genres and has a penchant for writing.
Comments
0 comment