We Gotta Get Outta This Place: Review of Lady Bird

Lady Bird

Director: Greta Gerwig

By Alex Watson

Greta Gerwig emerges as a talent to watch behind the camera. Lady Bird is a picture that sparkles and gives a deep yet hilarious look at the angst of youth. Dealing with people experiencing an identity crisis and the typical back and forth arguments between mother and daughter- Gerwig's movie feels refreshingly real. Although alongside the laughs there is a heavy emotional core that will audiences all the way to the bone.

Sacramento teenager Christine 'Lady Bird' McPherson (Saoirse Ronan) is a high school senior who desperately wants out of her modest California life. Eager to leave home for illustrious college's on the East Coast, Lady Bird continuously bickers with her mother Marion (Laurie Metcalfe) over her future plans. Her family is facing a crisis since her father Larry (Tracy Letts) has been laid off. Although she is capable- Lady Bird must do far better to reach her dreams.

Early on in Lady Bird, Gerwig gives a close-up example of the problematic relationship between Christine and Marion. We first see the pair returning from a college tour crying over an audio tape of 'The Grapes of Wrath'. Initially, the pair lovingly reflects on it. Within moments, Marion is nagging her daughter over her apathy about her future which soon descends into her berating her to the point where Christine physically jumps out the vehicle. Marion is a character wracked by self-doubt and anxiety and her failure to inspire or connect with her daughter pains her. By no means is either character completely likable-Christine is a fiercely independent creature who chafes under the rule of her underbearing mother. Desperate for life on the East Coast where 'writers live in the woods' Christine attempts musical theatre as a way of boosting her college prospects.

Set in 2002 during Bush's America, money and wealth is also a talking point in this picture. The McPherson's are a family barely holding their head above water. Larry has struggled with depression and being out of work has put a huge financial strain on them. Despite this, he is still willing to help his daughter with her financial aid forms. When Christine befriends wealthy and popular Jenna (Odeya Rush) she pretends she lives in a big luxurious house in an affluent neighbourhood. Gerwig puts a good spin on the pain, angst, and joy or teenage crushes. Danny (Lucas Hedges) appears to have it the complete package- wealthy, handsome and from a close-knit Irish-Catholic family. However, in one subtle yet brilliant reveal, Gerwig superbly shatters Christine's portrait of him. Dreamy rocker and wannabe philosopher Kyle (Timothée Chalamet) is the boy who seems so wrong to us but a figure of aloof desire to her.

Lady Bird is heavily inspired by Gerwig's own experiences before going off to college. This is the element that makes her directorial debut feel so raw and real. Christine and Marion are the driving force of the movie and this is possibly the most realistic mother-daughter depiction you will ever see. Marion only wants the best for Christine- but that doesn't stop her from continually observing her flaws and picking her unrealistic expectations. Christine is also blind to just how much work her mother puts into keeping the family together. Though Gerwig is always careful to remind us how each insult comes from a place of affection. Few debuts are as assured or genuine as this one- being the best-reviewed movie on Rotten Tomatoes in 2017 speaks volumes

Irish actress Saoirse Ronan once again is on firecracker form as Christine. Perfectly channeling her character's desperation to be something other than ordinary, Ronan is well cast. One of Hollywood's strongest young actresses, the 23-year-old never seeks for us to love this character- only to understand where she is coming from. Laurie Metcalfe should be the favourite on every person's supporting actress list. Known to audiences from her time on Broadway and as Sheldon Cooper's mother in Big Bang Theory. Metcalfe gives a supporting turn of sheer power and immense depth. Her Marion is a character that is always criticizing her daughter's choices. Through Metcalfe, we come to realize her words although cutting are actually being said of out love. 

Lady Bird is more than just a critic's darling this award season. Few indie efforts feels as polished or emotionally engaging as this one. Another hit for A24, who have been the studio to beat this year.

Living in America: Review of Brooklyn

TIFF EXCLUSIVE 

Brooklyn

Director: John Crowley

By Alex Watson

John Crowley's Brooklyn was one of the more charming affairs of the 2015 Toronto Film Festival and thanks to a strong central performance, this coming-of-age story is a sweet and wholesome affair. Although it won't be the most arresting affair of 2015, this movie still accurately portrays the struggles and sometimes overwhelming feel of arriving in a new land. Crowley's direction is steady, but Nick Hornby's script is one that lacks the needed punch in some areas.

Eilis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan) is an Irish girl who has just immigrated to 1950's New York due the generosity of priest Father Flood (Jim Broadbent). Relocating to the heavily Irish neighborhood, Brooklyn she at first is desperate to return her old and trouble-free life. Soon she begins to embrace living the American Dream and romance with Italian-American Plumber Tony (Emory Cohen) blossoms. However, when a tragedy hits back home, Eilis returns to Ireland where soon she faces a tough choice. 

Brooklyn is a movie that is predictable yet wonderful tale of a young woman entering adulthood. Eilis is the main element that keeps Crowley's movie on its toes throughout. When we first meet her she is a shy and retiring girl who feels hopelessly lost in the Big Apple. Sat nervously around the table at her boarding house with other gossiping girl residents, she longs to go home. When Eilis begins to broaden her horizon the movie takes on a wonderful naturalistic feel. Through this she begins to excel at her job at a department store and while taking a bookkeeping course she discovers brains she never knew possible. 

Meeting Tony is the crossing point where Eilis grows from a girl lost to a woman on the cusp of entering a new world. Tony is a man who although very much blue-collar, is a considerate and impossibly lovely. He is very much the reason she begins to open her eyes to the wonderful life opportunity she has. Together this pairing lifts the movie from above ordinary ground and allows the story to glide along nicely. The pangs of first love are one that are truly heart grabbing and will no doubt melt even the coldest of hearts. 

Smartly Crowley and Hornby change things up in the last act as a family tragedy forces Eilis to return home. While back her native Emerald Isle, she cruelly comes across the perfect life she would have dreamed of in her small town. Another challenging factor rears its head in the shape of Jim Farrell (Domnhall Gleason) a man from a wealthy family. Jim is sophisticated, well-educated and is one of the villages most sought after bachelors. In short, he is all the things that Tony is not and Eilis slowly finds herself more taken with her old life. Although she assure people she will shortly be returning, a lingering doubt soon creeps over. 

This movie is a perfect star vehicle for demonstrating the talents of Saoirse Ronan and once more the talented Irish actress is a formidable presence. Firmly carrying the movie from the first frame, Ronan is an actress who is able to effectively convey the fears, doubts and later joys of Eilis. One of the growing talents in the film world, this movie is one she shines brightly in. Emory Cohen also does well as Tony is able to bring across a real easy-going yet committed feel to his character. Julie Walters once more is a welcome presence as Eilis very stern yet motherly landlady Madge Kehoe. 

Brooklyn is a movie worth seeing purely for the powerful performance by Ronan. Crowley may have won hearts in Toronto, but I wouldn't expect to see this nominated movie come awards time. For anyone who has ever found themselves alone in a strange land, this will make for very familiar viewing!.