Lady Bird (2017)

Directed by Greta Gerwig

Written by Greta Gerwig

Starring Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Lucas Hedges and Timotheé Chalamet 

      Greta Gerwig sets out to prove to audiences that she can do more that just act for the camera, she can step foot behind it and bring an amazing story to life about a young high school girl coming of age in the early 2000's. These types of stories can normally be riddled with cliches, and fall beneath the cracks and are forgotten by movie goers, but Gerwig creates a comedic masterpiece with Lady Bird. 

     Christine "Lady Bird" McPherson (Saoirse Ronan) is a high-school senior from "the other side of the tracks" growing up in Sacramento. She is always searching for more adventure and sophistication but is falling short of that dream at her Catholic high school. The movie follows Lady Bird's senior year, including participating in the school play, finding love and most importantly, applying to college. What would this teenage experience be without being perpetually angry with your condescending/loving mother though? 

     The relationship between Lady Bird and her mom (played by Laurie Metcalf) is so entertaining to watch. From the very first scene of the movie where they're bickering in the car, you know their scenes together are always gonna be ones to look forward to. The dynamic of this mother-daughter relationship that Gerwig creates is so comical yet endearing to watch. You see that Metcalf's character does everything she can to provide for her daughter, you see that she does love her but seems to only be capable of showing it through snarky remarks and stabs at her daughters intelligence. On the otherside you see Saoirse's character can snap easily at her mom and may not always see all that she does but she also is quick to defend her to other people. Ronan and Metcalf steal the show in this and both deservedly receive lots of praise from their performances. 

8/10