Strange Movie, Powerful Performances

Finally got around to seeing Lady Bird, and it's definitely a biting dark comedy. I am quite impressed with Greta Gerwig's script, which is a bit unfocused- a bit random- a bit awkward. Yet it works. Somehow it managed to keep me vested. One thing I like is that this is a working class family we're watching. I am fed up with movies that just focus on the upper-class, and I felt I could relate more to normal people. Like when Mom and daughter shop in a thrift store. That worked for me.

Saoirse Ronan, who is proving to be my favorite contemporary actress alongside Cate Blanchett, is a high school senior struggling to find identity. The fact that she insists everyone call her the film's title is more a look at her facade - she doesn't quite know how to blend in. One minute she's doing school plays with her brainy friend played wonderfully by Beanie Feldstein, the next moment she's trying to kiss up to the cool girl who goes to random parking lots to "do stuff" with guys. She finds she likes a inhibited hottie named Kyle (Timothée Chalamet, brilliant) but is horrified when he lies about being a virgin- after their tryst.

Lady Bird is a coming of age charmer, that deals with Ronan's environment at school, and her troubled home life. Her turbulent relationship with a domineering mother (Laurie Metcalf) and a depressed, out of work father (Tracy Letts) make for some very intense scenes. I love Gewig's way with dialogue, and how it's never forced. In fact, the film is more about moments then an overall story. But that works here. It was like watching real people. And the only problem with that is that the characters aren't that likable. And I guess normal people aren't perfectly rounded like the popcorn stories like to force at us. However, I didn't quite know who to root for.

Back to Ronan- wow. She's just splendid. I had heard iffy reviews about her not being as amazing, but truly- I didn't feel I was watching a performance. I felt like this was Christine's world and she was inviting me to spend the day with her. I fell in love with this actress back with Atonement (2007), and even more with Brooklyn (2015, she should have won). And now she hits it out of the park again with Lady Bird. I know Frances McDormand was unstoppable in Three Billboards and the podium, but Ronan really is proving she's a diverse character performer. I hope she wins the Oscar soon.

Laurie Metcalf is good, but not Oscar worthy. She reaped critic awards earlier in the 2017 season, but lost the big awards to Allison Janney (I, Tonya). I have to agree with the academy's selection. Not to take away from Laurie's work. Like the other characters, she's a blunt and not very sentimental character. I liked her chemistry with Ronan. But I didn't find a money scene that brought it home for me. In fact, I would have nominated Beanie Feldstein, who played Julie, over Metcalf. As Ronan's on and off friend, she gets the most laughs and really owns the role so you find her adorable as much as independent.

The whole cast is amazing. I found I liked the performances over the story. That's nothing to take away from Gerwig. She really has something special here.

FINAL GRADE: B+