The film is structured in a linear narrative with a clear beginning and end. But it does have an aspect of being a circular narrative when you consider the opening scene and the end of the film. It begins with Lady Bird close to her mother, sleeping in the same bed and ends with Lady Bird (now Christine) metaphorically close to her mother, saying she loves her. We can also see how Lady Bird grows as a person and the perfect example is how she accepts that her name is Christine at the end of the film and finally tells her mother she loves her and accepts her. Every event in the film helps to lead Christine on her journey of self improvement however, it makes sure to not make us think she has changed. The Christine at the end of the film is definitely the same as the Lad Bird in the beginning but with an added layer of maturity.
This film could be seen as more than just one genre but fits best into the coming-of-age sub genre of teenage film. The film has many of the genre features of this, being filmed in a school, arguments with parents, teen relationships and the drama that comes alongside them, etc.
The film was made by feminist director Greta Gerwig. It was the beginning of her career in terms of successful film making. As well as making Lady Bird (2017) she has gone on to create other well-known films such as Barbie (2023) and Little Women (2019).
I think the filmmaker wanted to present a message of allowing yourself to be imperfect and let yourself become a better person without having to “fix all of your flaws”. This is shown by Chrisine’s change into the more mature adult but is also shown in the end of the film by how she goes too drunk and ends up in hospital. That is a perfect example of how Gerwig is saying that we don’t need to get rid of all our imperfections and we can still grow to be a better person over time. It is also shown in the mother who is always stressed and unhappy because she is constantly trying to make sure that herself and her family are reaching for perfection and it creates a bad environment around her that we notice through the lens of how she treats Christine.
An interesting technique the film uses is in the end of the film when it flicks between Lady Bird driving and her mother driving and how they are in the same way. This shows how she has grown and her and her mother are so similar and it shows how their argument is caused by her mother’s need for perfection.
The film represents different types of people in its runtime. One example is Lady Bird herself who is a teen that is clearly struggling with her current relationships with boys, her friends, and her parents. She isn’t sure about her future and seems to keep being told she should think its nt owing to be good. Another is her friend who is friendly and smart but still deals with insecurities around the popular groups and when Lady Bird joins that group she gets scared that she will be left behind.
My personal reaction to the film was a very positive one and I think it may have been my favourite of the full films which we have studied so far.
I give this film 4 1/2 stars.