Lady Bird (MA). Director: Greta Gerwig. Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Tracy Letts, Lucas Hedges, Timothée Chalamet, Beanie Feldstein, Lois Smith, Stephen Henderson, Odeya Rush. 94 minutes
'When at least 50 per cent of the population is female, and when at least that percentage of movie-goers are female, why is their gender so often treated as though they were a minority?' Catherine Marshall poses the question this week in Eureka Street, in an article reflecting on the sexism that plagues Hollywood at all levels. Post-Weinstein, and the rise of the Me Too and Time's Up movements, that Hollywood has a gender equality problem is no longer in doubt — if it ever was.
The conversations around what constitutes assault and harassment, and about how Hollywood culture both reflects and reinforces issues of gender equality in society at large, is vital, and increasingly sophisticated. Consider this article from last December that explores new alternatives to the Bechdel Test, the formula that has long been used as a litmus for how women are portrayed on film. The standard of what we should expect is being constantly raised. It should be.
Especially if such a raising of the bar produces more films like Lady Bird, acclaimed writer and character actor Gerwig's first outing as (solo) director. It not only passes Bechdel, it ticks off a number of the more stringent tests proposed in the article linked above. (Admittedly it does less well in those categories that relate to representation of women of colour — Hollywood has a long way to go there too.) Importantly, it also happens to simply be a great film.
Lady Bird stands in the conventions of its coming-of-age, 'teen movie' genre. At the same time it subverts and elaborates on the genre's themes through its distinct perspective, nuanced characterisations, emotional sophistication and intelligent script. It's up for five Oscars — Best Picture, Best Director and Original Screenplay for Gerwig, Best Actress for Ronan and Supporting Actress for Metcalf. It deserves to be among the favourites for at least a few of these.
Christine (Ronan), self-dubbed Lady Bird, is a scholarship student at a Catholic girls school in Sacramento. Over the course of her final year of high school she experiences romance, sexual awakening and heartbreak; navigates complex family relationships; and weighs friendships and academic options, all in the search for establishing and cementing her identity. Principal in this is a desire to leave Sacramento behind