Ladybird - Movie Review

The trailers for Ladybird did not pique my interest. But the rave reviews forced me into the theater to see it. I have to admit, I liked this film a lot more than I expected. However, I think the 100% score at Rotten Tomatoes is ridiculous and the current 8.4 score at IMDb is a bit inflated as well. Having said that, I was not disappointed in this film. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised.

Christine "Ladybird" McPherson (Saoirse Ronan) has a strained relationship with her mother, Marion (Laurie Metcalf). Marion works at a psychiatric hospital, often pulling double shifts to help make ends meet. At home, Marion isn't very emotive. She is almost mechanical in her relationships, distracted by an OCD-like obsession with perfection and neatness. This creates a communication gap with Christine, who has her own quirks. Christine attends a Catholic school in Sacramento. Her parents make many sacrifices so that she can get a good education in a safe environment. Christine is coasting toward graduation, trying to make sense of the world around her. She wants to go out of state to college, but the family doesn't have the resources to pay out of state tuition. Especially after her father, Larry (Tracy Letts), loses his job. Christine explores new relationships at the expense of her close relationships as she navigates her own coming-of-age in Sacramento, California in 2002.

Ladybird is a character-driven story that serves as a sweetheart kiss to the city of Sacramento. While the city plays a minor role as a backdrop to Christine's teenage angst, it seems to be a place she has greater fondness for than she lets on. The story most deeply explores relationships, examining both friendships and family dynamics. The film has a subtle humor at times, but succeeds more on its dramatic elements and truthful examination of its characters. Ladybird has a distinctly Indie feel, but I find that Indie films often thrive on exploiting the concept of dysfunctional families. It was refreshing to see a film that didn't overplay family dysfunction, opting for a genuine heartbeat. This story is sweet. It is a story of stifled communication. But love manages to be a major theme. And it is done well. The narrative arc is slow at times, weaving the story around Christine's interpersonal interactions. But the ending ties things together satisfactorily. Not neatly. Not in a fairytale Hollywood ending. But in a rewarding sense for the viewer. The film has balance that leaves you feeling warm, without feeling sappy.

Ladybird was written and directed by Greta Gerwig. I have an admission to make. I don't like her. She is part of the reason I did not think I would like this film. Gerwig did an excellent job with this film and deserves the accolades that are certain to come her way. She will probably win a ton of sundry awards for this film. There may even be Oscar potential here, based on what Hollywood likes to celebrate. I feel like there was a lot of Greta Gerwig in Christine. Gerwig is from Sacramento, where she attended Catholic school growing up. Like Ladybird, Gerwig attended college in New York and was involved in theater in school, had a mother who was a nurse and a father who was a computer engineer. I will stop just short of calling this Gerwig's autobiography. But I think her honesty in creating this script allowed her to draw inspiration from her own experiences which undoubtedly influenced these characters. The characters were brilliant and engaging, even when the pacing was sluggish. I was impressed.

Ronan and Metcalf carried this film. While the film explored many relationships, the central focus was on the relationship between Christine and her mother. There was an unbalanced chemistry between these two actors that gave their performances credibility. Metcalf came across as caring, but cold. It was an odd balance that is a tribute to her talent. Ronan gave us a character who was likeable in spite of bad decisions. Her decisions weren't life altering as much as just irritating. But she infused her character with a calm objectiveness that seemed to create balance. Together, Ronan and Metcalf danced between warmth and distance in a way that only family relationships can maneuver. I was sold on their performances. The film was well constructed, allowing the talent of these two to shine.

Ladybird runs 94 minutes. It feels longer than that due to some pacing issues. Although the story is worth the pacing. The film probably would have earned a PG-13 rating, but for one scene where Christine purchases a Playgirl magazine, giving the audience a dose of male full frontal nudity. It was a bit gratuitous, but was part of Christine's personal birthday celebration. She bought several items she was previously not old enough to purchase. I think this scene was included because it really happened. To Gerwig. Aside from that, the film had teenage drinking, strong language and a nudity free sex scene. There was also talk about sex and sexuality. Overall, this film is probably best for a teenage audience or older. The brief flash of nudity notwithstanding, the subject matter is geared toward older audiences.

There was nothing about Ladybird that suggests it has to be seen on the big screen. It will translate well to television if you want to wait for it. Having said that, I would make a note to add this to your streaming queue once it hits the streaming services. It is a worthwhile, rewarding film. While I complained about the pacing a bit, the story was sweet. It was a different kind of independent film that leaves you feeling warm instead of feeling empty. Or worse, feeling like "what did I just watch?" The characters and acting make this film work. The characters felt like people I know. Genuine people without their public facade. I'm not quite in RT or IMDb stratosphere...but I have talked myself into an 8/10 rating.