I am not familiar with the acting or writing career of Greta Gerwig. But, since “Lady Bird” is her first solo directing effort, I didn’t think that should be an impediment to me seeing one of the most critically acclaimed movies of the year as the second part of my MLK Day double feature. I’m glad I didn’t let it stop me, as this film is in the conversation as one of the best of the year for me.
The semi-autobiographical movie, written and directed by Gerwig, follows the titular Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson (Saorise Ronan), a high school senior in Sacramento, California. The movie chronicles the ups and downs of her final year of high school, including college applications, boyfriend problems and dealing with her scary and warm mother (played …show more content…
Her visual style isn’t too flashy, wisely allowing the acting and the screenplay to take center stage. Gerwig worked with her cinematographer Sam Levy to put the camera it needed to be then just let it roll.
As writer and director, though, I don’t know that enough can be said about how Gerwig manages the tone of “Lady Bird.” Simply, she nails it. This is a movie that’s sweet, genuine, insightful, warm, sassy, sarcastic, funny and moving.
All these different beats don’t feel at odds with each other, however, because of the way Gerwig handles the movie (and the editing by Nick Houy). Each kind of moment gets exactly it’s right amount of time to shine and the transition to the next scene, which may have an entirely different tone, never feels jarring. That’s especially impressive considering the brisk pace this movie manages.
Gerwig also displays an impeccable ear for dialogue, which is brilliant here. Again, it all feels authentic, like something someone actually said. The humor lands and the emotional moments are effective. I both laughed heartily and felt tears well into my eyes during this
The semi-autobiographical movie, written and directed by Gerwig, follows the titular Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson (Saorise Ronan), a high school senior in Sacramento, California. The movie chronicles the ups and downs of her final year of high school, including college applications, boyfriend problems and dealing with her scary and warm mother (played …show more content…
Her visual style isn’t too flashy, wisely allowing the acting and the screenplay to take center stage. Gerwig worked with her cinematographer Sam Levy to put the camera it needed to be then just let it roll.
As writer and director, though, I don’t know that enough can be said about how Gerwig manages the tone of “Lady Bird.” Simply, she nails it. This is a movie that’s sweet, genuine, insightful, warm, sassy, sarcastic, funny and moving.
All these different beats don’t feel at odds with each other, however, because of the way Gerwig handles the movie (and the editing by Nick Houy). Each kind of moment gets exactly it’s right amount of time to shine and the transition to the next scene, which may have an entirely different tone, never feels jarring. That’s especially impressive considering the brisk pace this movie manages.
Gerwig also displays an impeccable ear for dialogue, which is brilliant here. Again, it all feels authentic, like something someone actually said. The humor lands and the emotional moments are effective. I both laughed heartily and felt tears well into my eyes during this