Movie Review, #1: Lady Bird

****

Everyone knows I am a very fussy movie watcher. I don’t want anything too romantic, too sad, too unfair, too long, too white, etc. Lady Bird met all my criteria (well, maybe a bit too white). A coming of age movie about a girl, Lady Bird, becoming a woman (both in terms of aging and losing her virginity), it was a beautiful depiction of family ties, fitting in, society, the angst of growing up, etc. As someone who also went to a bougie private high school on a full scholarship, so much about Lady Bird’s friendships and interactions rung true to my heart (like never letting my friends see the house I lived in). What I loved most about the movie was the mother. Played by Laurie Metcalf, the fierceness and loving authenticity of the mom, and her interactions with Lady Bird reminded me of what it feels like, and what it felt like at that age, to be loved so fiercely but not necessarily parented, or living, in the way you want. And as someone who now no longer identifies too too much with teenagers, there was a growing sense of identity with the mother, and what it takes to shepherd your own children through the world, sometimes against their will. Would I watch it again? Probably not. Do I look forward to watching it with my daughter in 20 years? Yes.