Last week, Lady Bird officially became the “Best Film of History” on the website Rotten Tomatoes when it obtained the score of 100% based on 170 reviews. Since its release on November the 3rd, the movie does not stop to generate enthusiasm, both from the critiques and from the audience. This success attracted our attention: is Greta Gerwig’s first feature film in solo the best film ever?
The movie tells the story of Christine, who nicknamed herself “Lady Bird”. Lady Bird is a seventeen years old schoolgirl who grew up and lives in Sacramento. She hates this city, and she hates her life there. Her dream is to leave the West Cost to go study on the East Cost, where the culture reigns and where the spirited people live according to her. The film follows Lady Bird during her last year of high school, and explores her conflictive relationship with her mother, her first flings and her quest for recognition.
A unique film
An identity crisis, a difficult relationship with her parents and a ton of romantic adventures; when you first look at it, Lady Bird seems to combine all the components of the basic “coming of age” movie. Yet, it slightly distinguishes itself from the classics of the genre because of its authenticity and the fluidity of its rhythm. The spectators do not have the impression to face a stereotypical teenage movie: we feel that Gerwig role is not to give lessons about how to find who you really are and how to be comfortable with your identity. She rather seems interested in exploring the torments of teenage years by observing her characters evolve without judging them. The movie shows actions and emotions rather than offering a thesis about youth. Therefore, it has a rhythm that is very agreeable to follow. The spectator does not wait for cliché scenes and steps that usually sprinkle this type of movie. On the opposite, he lets himself being carried by the characters rather than focusing on what it is the purpose of the movie.
Authentic characters
The authenticity of the characters contributes significantly to make the movie so agreeable to watch. Here, the characters that drive the plot and not the opposite, which distinguishes once again Lady Bird from the other “coming of age” movies. The characters all have defaults and qualities, some important goals and some even more important responsibilities: they are, before anything else, human and authentic characters. It is the case for the more cliché characters as well (because yes, you will still have to deal with the school hit girl, what would be a teenage movie without her?), whose reactions are sometimes surprising. Lady Bird especially excels in representing the relationship between a daughter and her mother. The relation between Lady Bird and her mother is indeed very complex and ambiguous. Gerwig succeeds in showing how these two women simultaneously deeply love each other while constantly trying to destruct each other. It is probably one of the best explorations of the subject in a movie these recent years.
Exceptional actors
The excellent performances of the talented actors reinforce the authenticity of the characters and of the situations. Saoirse Ronan gives a spot on performance and embodies a Lady Bird that is both impressing and moving. Lucas Hedges, revealed by Manchester by the Sea last year is surprising because of his sensitivity in his role of suitor. He confirms that he is an actor we should keep an eye on. Timothee Chalamet (you can see his very touching performance in the upcoming Call Me By Your Name) interprets Lady Bird’s second suitor. He is also impressing because he succeeds in making his character look both obnoxious because of his fake-coolness and very attractive because of his charisma. Laurie Metcalf is, for her part, incredible. As Lucas Hedeges’ character says, Lady Bird’s mother is both a good and a terrifying person. Laurie Metcalf personifies wonderfully this paradox and succeeds in making her character appear simultaneously cold and strict, and endearing and moving. It is probably one of her best performance in a movie, and the Academy might be very sensitive to that.
A very banal screenplay
This group of talented indie actors is actually the secret weapon of the movie. If we have to grant the film that its characters are different, the screenplay for its part is far from being original. Indeed, without the performances of its talented actors, the movie would probably not be the same and would be very classical. In the end, even if the characters are leading the story, the plot remains very obvious and not surprising at all. Thanks to the authenticity of her heroes, Gerwig succeeds in justifying the clichés of the story without really stamping them out. The mesmerizing rhythm of her film and the enchanting performances of her actors distract the spectators from the structure of the movie, which is altogether very classical. In addition, if Lady Bird learns how to manage her relationships with the others, she does not seem to really evolve personally between the beginning and the end of her school year. Her character is thus not as complex and interesting as it could be. The last scenes of the movie compensate this small problem by underlining some paradoxes in the young woman’s personality. Unfortunately, they come too late in the movie, and consequently seem precipitated, providing the film with an impression that it is unfinished.
A lack of visual originality
Additionally, the mise en scène and the cinematography lack of originality as well. That is not really a big deal, as the movie remains very agreeable to watch; yet, if you hope to watch the indie nugget that the medias are selling you, this lack of visual audacity might disappoint you. Given the theme of the film and the playful nature of Lady Bird, a more poetical mise scène, with symbolical framings and imaginative colours would have served the purpose of the movie.
A great movie? Yes. The best film ever? Certainly not.
In the end, Lady Bird is without a doubt a very good movie, but certainly not a masterpiece. The authenticity of its characters and the relationships they have with one another are not usual in a movie of this kind. The interpretations of the talented actors Gerwig has to her disposition bring the movie to life very efficiently. Nonetheless, considering Lady Bird as the best film of indie cinema (or even as 2017’s cinematic masterpiece) might be exaggerated. The screenplay lacks of originality, just like its mise en scène that is really not imaginative. If Lady Bird remains a very good and charming first film that reveals Gerwig’s talent, it would be premature to consecrate it as a cult movie.
