June 5, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Lady Bird Soars

By Nick Boyd

 

“Lady Bird” is a winning comedy-of-age movie that takes place in Sacramento during a girl’s senior year at a Catholic high school.

It is set in the years 2002 and 2003, so it was able to take this viewer back to his high-school days, back when 9/11 was big news and cellphones were still a fairly new thing.

Saoirse Ronan (from the film “Brooklyn”) plays the title character (a nickname she prefers) who is determined to attend an East Coast college. She frequently argues with her mom Marion (Laurie Metcalf from the TV show “Roseanne”), both of whom have strong personalities, while her father Larry (Tracy Letts) is the peacemaker.

Very well-written and performed, the film skillfully portrays the ups and downs of high-school, making it both fun and relatable. It explores issues of economic disparities, religious irreverence, independence, and best friend/opposite sex relationships.

Lady Bird lies about where she lives to a new friend to avoid the shame and embarrassment she associates with her lower middle-class existence.

We see Lady Bird and her friend chowing down on communion wafers when a fellow student walks in on them aghast. In another scene, Lady Bird plays a joke on one of the nuns at school. Lady Bird’s personality is one to not take things too seriously.

Lady Bird strives to be free of her parents’ rules by getting as far away as possible from Sacramento – “the Midwest of California” as Lady Bird disparagingly calls it.

Lady Bird is really close to her best friend Julie, who struggles with weight issues and self-esteem. After being cast in the school play, Lady Bird finds herself attracted to Danny (Lucas Hedges, from “Manchester by the Sea”) and they quickly bond. Both actors have good chemistry together (he is warm and attentive to her needs) and Lady Bird is very impressed with his grandmother’s house, where he invites her for Thanksgiving. After witnessing something that changes her outlook on Danny, Lady Bird wants nothing to do with him, though it has nothing to do with his personality. Lady Bird’s rebel personality attracts someone at her school named Kyle (Timothée Chalamet), a local musician. Kyle tries to come off as cool and intellectual, though it is clear he is not as caring as Danny had been.

Ronan’s role has the most developed character arc in the movie, starting off on the selfish side and maturing as she sees those around her change.

A key scene late in the movie occurs when Lady Bird asks to be dropped off at her friend Julie’s house after the two of them had had their difficulties. The ending, meanwhile, is poignant without being overly sentimental.

Director Greta Gerwig in her directorial debut shows much promise and I look forward to seeing what she does next.

Photos: “Lady Bird.”

Ronan gives a stunning performance as Lady Bird.
Related Posts

(Video) Some of the Damage Caused By Vandals at Malibu High School Overnight

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

40 to 50 people, who are suspected to be students or recent alumni, used eggs, flour, and markers to deface...

Biggest Night of the Year: Don’t Miss GMCLA’s ‘Dancing Queens’

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

Culminating its 46th season, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles will grace the crowd with Dancing Queens, celebrating iconic...

Pluto TV and Oscar-Winning Director Sean Baker Team Up to Host Free Weekend Screenings

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

Popcorn Challenge Interactive Event Set for Westfield Century City Mall  The historic Gardena Cinema, one of the last single-screen, family-operated...

Former ‘Real Housewives’ Husband Sentenced to Over 7 Years for $15 Million Client Fraud 

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

Federal Judge Rejects Plea for Medical Placement, Orders Restitution and Prison Time Disgraced former attorney Tom Girardi was sentenced Tuesday...

Carjacking Suspect Arrested After Police Chase Ends in Crash in Inglewood

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

Suspect Was Wanted for an Armed 2023 Carjacking in Culver City Wanted on multiple felony charges stemming from a 2023...

Malibu High Targeted in Overnight Vandalism Spree; Investigation Underway

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

Destruction on Campus Prompts Sheriff’s Probe; Students May Face Charges Vandals caused extensive damage to the school property of Malibu...

A Season of Gratitude: After One Year in Business, Urban Jungle Continues Making its Mark

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Over the last year, Urban Jungle, an indoor and tropical plants nursery, has continued its mission to cultivate a place...

The soul’s greatest hits

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

From ‘Ave Maria’ to ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ and ‘Ode to Joy,” a Santa Monica concert raising funds to help fire victims...

LAPD Increases Security at Jewish Sites Following Colorado Flamethrower Attack

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Officials Ramp Up Patrols and Plan Emergency Response as Shavuot Concludes. Security outside Jewish institutions in Los Angeles has been...

The Peabody Awards Celebrate Bold Storytelling and Social Impact at Beverly Hills Gala

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Honorees Including Baby Reindeer, Shōgun, and The Only Doctor at In-Person Ceremony The Peabody Awards held their awards ceremony Sunday...

Chamber Music Palisades Presents an Afternoon of Beethoven, Brahms, Debussy, and More

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Brentwood Hosts Free Classical Concert with LA Philharmonic Greats Chamber Music Palisades will present a free community concert on Saturday,...

Massive Fire Engulfs Auto Shop, Shuts Down 10 Freeway Eastbound Lanes

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Explosions, Thick Smoke, and Downed Power Lines Disrupt Traffic in Palms A fast-moving fire broke out Sunday behind a commercial...

Alpine Floor & Home: A Legacy of Quality Since 1968

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Founded in 1968 with a single location, Alpine Floor & Home began as a humble family business with a clear...

Chin Chin to Close West Hollywood Location After 45 Years of Service

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Iconic Sunset Plaza Restaurant Announces Final Day of Operations Chin Chin, the iconic Chinese eatery that has been a fixture...

LACMA’s $700M David Geffen Galleries to Open in 2026

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

New Structure Will Replace Original Midcentury Buildings Construction crews are entering the final stretch on the David Geffen Galleries, a...