NYFF: Sing For Me, Lady Bird
Sunday, October 15, 2017 at 9:30PM by Jason Adams
Have you ever gone back to visit the school you went to as a little kid and realized how small it all looks now? I think we've all had that moment - you walk down the hallway feeling like Godzilla; you'd have to get on your hands and knees to use the drinking fountain. And yet as goofy as it seems - and depending on your experience filled with conflicting emotions as it may be - it pulls at you anyway, yanks at your heart. It is part of you. The pictures might've gotten small but they have crawled inside and curled up and they're not going anywhere.
Greta Gerwig's Lady Bird - that is her given name; she gave it to herself - thrums with that strange and bittersweet nostalgia...
It has the feeling of warm close recollection - the light is diffuse, honeyed, and the scenes pile up like a flood of sudden memories all around us. Too many to sort all at once - they are the parts of you, limbs and ears and the back of your knee now, as you manage them. These were your growing pains - it seems only right that Lady Bird wears a cast for the majority of the film, because she is busting through the walls of this place. Even her bones can't take it.
Everybody's just trying to hold it together. That's a feeling that echoes throughout the film and all its characters - Gerwig's infinite empathy sweeps across all of Sacramento, into every house, big and small, on either side of the tracks. In the week and a half since seeing this movie there are side-characters that have sidled up to me seemingly out of nowhere - Lady Bird's deeply depressed drama teacher; the dude that she meets a college that makes fun of her "Greatest Hits" collection - and sat down and said hello; I don't fore-see them leaving me be any time soon, nor would I want them to. Give Greta Gerwig ninety minutes and she will give you an entire world.
Or a galaxy, even. Bigger than anything. The sun is Saorsie Ronan, bright and sharp and life-giving. The moon is Laurie Metcalf - as sure as the tides she'll tug your guts right up into your throat. And we sit swaying between them, glad for both, happy to've just been invited to this damn magic of a celestial show.
Greta Gerwig, Lady Bird, Laurie Metcalf, NYFF, Saoirse Ronan
Reader Comments (16)
Every two years here in Brazil I go to my middle school to vote, and the feeling is exacly how you described Jason. Thank you.
Your writing got so good this last year, well done.
I am anxious to see this movie!
OMG I vote in my old school too! It always makes me incredibly sad.
Tell us more about Laurie Metcalf! Oscar chances?
I quite enjoyed it. Felt a bit disjointed at times (too much one scene jumps to the next and most scenes being super short) but Gerwig does a great job at building this world, if not necessarily all the characters around it. Ronan shines even if her role feels like shades of an actual person at times. It's Metcalf who totally stole my heart and who grabs the snippets of dialogue and truly creates a genuine, lovable, flawed human being.
i freakin' love your reviews, jason; always so beautifully evocative
Can't wait for this one. Nice review.
I gotta feeling, in the wake of Weinsteingate, Hollywood will like to make a statement on the often forgotten women behind the camera. Since Wonder Woman it's no best picture material and both Detroit and The Beguiled were received tepidly, I'll opt for this little indie to make some waves come Oscar nominations.
Nat, make room for Ronan in the Best actress slot. Even if she's ONLY 23. Gerwig, I think, is guaranteed a screenplpay nomination. You read it here first.
BTW, very nice review.
I gotta feeling, in the wake of Weinsteingate, Hollywood will like to make a statement on the often forgotten women behind the camera. Since Wonder Woman it's no best picture material and both Detroit and The Beguiled were received tepidly, I'll opt for this little indie to make some waves come Oscar nominations.
Nat, make room for Ronan in the Best actress slot. Even if she's ONLY 23. Gerwig, I think, is guaranteed a screenplpay nomination. You read it here first.
BTW, very nice review.
And don't forget "couples" often get together a nomination. Cate Blanchett in Blue Jasmine was a given. Sally Hawkins, not. The other case would seem Margot Robbie and Alison Janney in I, Tonya. But Lady Bird seems like the warmer, empowerment picture. I think both Ronan and Metcalg will get in!
chofer -- i think it's an uphill battle for Saoirse with both Streep and Dench knocking about. Metcalf is much closer to a sure thing (yes, I've seen the movie)
I agree with Nathaniel. I'm positive Laurie is in. I was much higher on the film's chances for Pic, Dir and Actress before I saw the movie. It plays a lot lighter and more like a teen comedy than I imagined. More Heathers or Clueless (in a great way if not aaaaas light) and less say, Juno.
If Ronan gets in is she the a record breaker,I am surprised people don't have her higher up.seeing how all reviews are + and Metcalf seems assured.
Nathaniel, I think both Ronan and Metcalf are in. Dench is out.
Just saw Lady Bird. What a beautiful film. Ronan is in for sure. I even think she can win.
You realize how awful she is all along, but you still can't help relating to her...
It plays a lot lighter and more like a teen comedy than I imagined...
Lady Bird is true story. It is best movie of Hollywood and this movie directed by Greta Gerwig..