Lady Bird

If I may begin in such a way as I will, I have seen the 2023 BARBIE movie for myself, and I have heard it being compared to this by reviewers online. And naturally, I had to see it for myself, and that's what I did...Though of course, not right away. Anyway, by the time I had finished, I found myself zooming on certain similarities and differences betweeen LADY BIRD (2017) and the said BARBIE (2023). The most notable similarity of them all is that I had to ask myself, "WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE MEN HERE??!" The younger men for starters: One is too good to be true and ends up being an L_7 weenie. The other is supposedly deep and profound, but he turns out to be a capital "W" WEASEL! Not to mention the.....adopted brother? Or son from another marriage? I knew so little that I forgot about him until he appeared again. The only man who seemed well-fleshed out is the dad, Larry McPherson (Tracy Letts). He would have been great if he didn't hush and hide all the time! The other similarity shines the spotlight on the women in the story. Call this debatable, and I will not argue against you. Anyway, Christine "Lady Bird" McPherson (Saoirse Ronan) is strong, driven, and determined...but to a needless, tragic fault. I want to ditch my hometown a whole heap, but that doesn't mean I want to--or need to--step on the necks of those who worked hard to get me where I have gotten thus far. LB is lucky to have a best friend, but she just does not care until she winds up lost...which happens hundreds of times throughout the picture. LB's mom, Marion (Laurie Metcalf) is also strong, but she is equally selfish and stubborn. She doesn't seem to value anyone either, unless they validate her. Sheesh! Validation is such a lame life goal for a kid to have, and even LAMER goal for an adult to have! And I thought Gloria (America Ferrara) in BARBIE had trouble understanding that! Bottom line: Gerwig does not seem to value her women any more than she values the men. As characters that is. Now for the difference(s). The director and author of LADY BIRD actually knew what she wanted to do. The only problem is she tried to do too many things at once. The overall movie, in hindsight, felt like five different movies crammed into one. In fact, with so many things laid out, we could have gotten five seperate movies. LB's best friend Julie (Beanie Feldstein), for example, could be the main character in one of those five movies. Larry and Marion could also lead a story of the ups and downs of marital relationships. Not to mention the priest who also teaches theatre. That moment with Marion could have lead to something. Still, much to director Greta Gerwig's credit, she did not wander completely off. Another difference is that LB cannot ignore her mother. At least she acts like the old lady is there, unlike Barbie who imagines a world without Ken. I know people give mad props to Metcalf and Ronan for their performances. Me too. Call it a miracle. But when you look at all the unused components and wasted potential of more well-fleshed out characters, it doesn't look very miraculous anymore.

This truly captures the heart of what it means to be a teenager in an imperfect world. It is character driven, so all those who only like plot driven films will be impatient. It's about struggling for approval, compromising the self to fit in, then regretting it, rebelling against home and hometown--these are some of the issues. It is a coming of age story. Great acting by all, great indie film. I was greatly moved by it. The sort of story you can watch more than once.

I really cannot see how this movie can be labeled a comedy.

Lady Bird which is directed by Greta Grewig and starrs Saorise Ronan who is a good actress and can pull off a wonderful performence in any film so far. Lady Bird follows Christine (aka "Lady Bird") a California christian lady who has troubles and doubts about her college life and her friends plus her mother is a nurse who is working after working raising money for his husband who lost his job. Lady Bird is a wonderful film that explores friendship, losing friends, relationships going rocky as planned and the hopes of being who you are. Christine has a quinue and powerful personality that either her friends or her controlling mother likes her. Saorise Ronan who was in Peter Jackson's The Lovely Bones which i liked of course Ronan gives a outstanding performence as she lives the high life moving in and moving out. I highly recommend Lady Bird it's well-written, hailrious and overall has top-grade performences.

it was very much swag

Another sob story about a teenager who doesn’t fit in yet she does everything in her power to alienate herself. When will women writers and directors realize, this is about as tiring of a plot as the girl who’s dating the jerk but doesn’t realize it until the good guy shows her. Next!

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 25 (2020)

This movie touches on all sorts of growing-up stuf - positives and negatives. And then she grows up. That's pretty much it. This will strike a chord with many and for those who are currently going through the growing-up thing it will be very relatable. And in the end it neatly checks off a couple of boxes and it's over. For those who are a few years past this, it is not a film to watch more than once. As for me, I've been through it and am glad to be past it.

Absolutely fantastic. I highly recommend.

Such a white girl movie.