Foggy’s review published on Letterboxd:
Phenomenally observed Coming-of-Age story with a unique twist. Lady Bird achingly reminds us of the things that should remain unsaid and of the unspoken things we shouldn’t take for granted.
What Greta Gerwig does here is takes a film that takes moments that we are all familiar with, either in our own lives or see played out on screen routinely and diverts the attention from the mechanics and instead on the interactions. Drawing upon her own upbringing, the film has not only a very personal touch, but reflects upon a time period that isn’t explored in such a domesticated environment.
Taking place in 2002 and 2003, enough time after the events or 9/11 have settled within America to create a new conscience. Lady Bird less tackles a direct approach but instead has it settle on the fringes amongst people’s decisions. The change in time period though strips away romanticised nostalgia as well, creating a film that is often blunt and direct...and I really can’t exaggerate how truly funny it is.
Soarsie Ronan is terrifically honest as the careless yet conflicted titular character (a name given to her, by herself). I imagine when people say that young people today are ‘entitled’ what they envision is something very much portrayed here, but I think everyone is suspect to similar behaviour. We have all taken for granted what is given to us by our parents, most of which is never placed into words, and thankfully Lady Bird doesn’t attempt to, simply allowing that failure to communicate settle in. Counterbalance to Ronan is Laurie Metcalf as her Mother, the two bicker with Metcalf being the voice of reason through most the film, however it’s her choice of words and her inability to give false truths that causes friction.
I found Lady Bird to be an utter triumph throughout, like a couple of the Best Picture Nominees this year, it’s a film that tackles a lot, but unlike most it allows the details and connections to be discovered yourself, to create a portrait of your own making, that connects to you.