Greta Gerwig’s Lady Bird (2017) is a heartfelt and incisive coming-of-age story that captures the bittersweet complexities of adolescence with humour, poignancy, and an unflinching honesty. Both a love letter to and a critique of the small-town experience, Lady Bird resonates deeply as a universal exploration of identity, family, and the yearning for independence. Gerwig’s semi-autobiographical debut as a solo writer-director is a triumph of nuance and sincerity, cementing her as one of the most important voices in modern cinema.
Set in Sacramento, California, in 2002, the film follows Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson (Saoirse Ronan), a high school senior with big dreams and a penchant for rebellion. Lady Bird is determined to leave her Catholic school and her hometown behind for an East Coast college, much to the dismay of her practical and overworked mother, Marion (Laurie Metcalf). The film unfolds as a series of snapshots of Lady Bird’s life, chronicling her friendships, romantic misadventures, and clashes with her family, all while she navigates the liminal space between adolescence and adulthood.
Saoirse Ronan delivers a career-defining performance as Lady Bird, capturing the character’s ambition, vulnerability, and defiant spirit with remarkable authenticity. Ronan’s nuanced portrayal strikes a perfect balance between humour and pathos, making Lady Bird’s journey both relatable and deeply moving. Laurie Metcalf’s Marion is equally outstanding, her performance imbued with a quiet strength and a raw emotionality that reveals the depth of her love and frustration for her daughter. The dynamic between Ronan and Metcalf is the beating heart of the film, their relationship a poignant exploration of the unspoken tensions and profound bonds between mothers and daughters.
The supporting cast shines as well. Tracy Letts brings warmth and subtlety to the role of Lady Bird’s father, Larry, whose gentle demeanour contrasts with Marion’s stern practicality. Beanie Feldstein as Julie, Lady Bird’s best friend, exudes charm and authenticity, providing a heartfelt portrayal of adolescent friendship. Timothée Chalamet and Lucas Hedges deliver memorable performances as Lady Bird’s romantic interests, each representing different facets of her self-discovery.
Gerwig’s direction is assured and intimate, capturing the minutiae of daily life with a keen eye for detail and a deep empathy for her characters. The film’s structure, composed of brief yet evocative vignettes, mirrors the fragmented and fleeting nature of memory, creating a tapestry of moments that feel both specific and universal. The vibrant cinematography by Sam Levy bathes Sacramento in a warm, golden light, imbuing the city with a nostalgic beauty that underscores the film’s themes of longing and belonging.
Jon Brion’s score is subtle yet evocative, perfectly complementing the film’s tone with its mix of whimsy and melancholy. The carefully curated soundtrack, featuring songs by artists like Alanis Morissette and Dave Matthews Band, anchors the story in its early-2000s setting while amplifying its emotional resonance.
Thematically, Lady Bird explores the tension between aspiration and reality, individuality and connection. Lady Bird’s desire to forge her own identity often puts her at odds with her mother, whose sacrifices and fears for her daughter’s future drive much of their conflict. Yet, beneath their clashes lies a deep mutual love that becomes increasingly evident as the story unfolds. The film’s nuanced portrayal of this relationship is one of its greatest strengths, capturing the contradictions and complexities of familial love with rare authenticity.
Lady Bird is also a meditation on place and identity. While Lady Bird yearns to escape Sacramento, the film subtly reveals the ways in which her hometown shapes her, grounding her aspirations and values. By the end of the film, her perspective shifts, allowing her to appreciate the imperfect beauty of her roots, a sentiment that resonates with anyone who has ever felt the push-and-pull of home.
Revisiting Lady Bird in 2025, its impact remains as powerful as ever. Gerwig’s ability to blend humour and heartbreak, specificity and universality, ensures that the film continues to speak to audiences of all ages. Its exploration of family, friendship, and self-discovery is as relevant and resonant today as it was upon its release.
Lady Bird is a celebration of the messy, imperfect, and deeply human experiences that shape us. With its sharp writing, outstanding performances, and heartfelt direction, it stands as a modern classic and a testament to Greta Gerwig’s extraordinary talent.
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