Review: Lady Bird (UK Cert 15)

Many people will know Greta Gerwig as an actress from films like Frances Ha, 20th Century Women, and Jackie, but she's also a screenwriter and director. She made her directorial debut in 2008 with Nights And Weekends, and both writes and directs Lady Bird, a coming-of-age story set in Sacramento in 2002. 

Leading from the front is Saoirse Ronan as the titular character. Lady Bird isn't her real name (her real name is Christine) but that is the name she wants to be known as, a name given to her by her. Whilst it would be easy to play Lady Bird as some kooky, quirky, affected caricature, Ronan's performance is very naturalistic, and very truthful. A lot of the time, in films like this, the main characters don't feel real (it's one of the issues I have with Juno, for instance), but Lady Bird feels like a real person. She thinks she knows better, but doesn't always; she makes mistakes; she argues and she bickers with friends and family, but I found myself always empathising with her (although not always agreeing). What's also nice is that Lady Bird has a defined arc and grows as a character- the ending is touching without being blatantly emotionally manipulative. 

Laurie Metcalf is just superb as Lady Bird's mother Marion. She could easily have just been a caricatured dragon-lady- the hardass parent, the bad cop- but, as one character says, she's scary but warm. Marion is having to provide for the whole family as her husband has been laid off, so works double shifts as a psych nurse. She comes across as a woman who deeply wants the best for her daughter but just doesn't know how to communicate with her; a shared moment of understanding after listening to an audiobook in the car soon descends into their usual bickering. Her rapport with Ronan is great; you believe them as a family unit. Metcalf is also a very expressive actress; she can say more in the roll of an eye or a purse of the lip than others can say with a paragraph of dialogue. 

Playwright Tracy Letts (August: Osage County) is in front of the camera here as Lady Bird's father Larry. A kind-hearted, soft man, trying to find a place for himself after being laid off, he's supportive of his daughter whilst trying to mitigate between her and Marion. It's a sensitive and lovely turn. Lucas Hedges (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Manchester By The Sea) is similarly strong as Danny, Lady Bird's boyfriend who is hiding a secret of his own, whilst Timothee Chalamet is great as the arrogant and pretentious Kyle, a world away from the sensitive Elio of Call Me By Your Name. He's the 'bad boy' who Lady Bird dates after her relationship with Danny ends, but she soon learns that he's not all he's cracked up to be.  Beanie Feldstein provides great support as Lady Bird's friend Julie, who gets sidelined for the 'popular crowd' but who is a genuine friend and who is burdened with an unfortunate crush on one of her teachers, and there's also a lovely supporting turn by Lois Smith as Sister Sarah Joan, one of the teachers at Lady Bird's school who gets some great lines like 'six inches for the Holy Spirit' when telling people not to dance too closely. 

Gerwig's script is tight, with nothing superfluous or padded in it; the film nips along at a nice pace, only lasting 94 minutes. It also feels very authentic, very honest. It really captures the uncertainty of taking your first tentative steps into adulthood, and all of the associated fears and concerns that come with that. It's a great piece of writing.

It's an accomplished comedy-drama impeccably acted by a superb ensemble cast. Definitely worth a watch.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Tez

Review: Jackie (UK Cert 15)

The assassination of John F. Kennedy is one of the defining moments of American history. Pablo Larrain's latest film Jackie is a character study of his wife, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, in the week after her husband's death. Whilst still in mourning, Jackie (Natalie Portman) invites a journalist (Billy Crudup) to interview her where she recounts the events of that fateful week.

At first I found Portman's performance a little mannered, the way she spoke a little discordant. It sounded wrong. However, having found footage of the real Jackie Kennedy (the 1961 White House tour is available to view online), it's a remarkable facsimile. The real First Lady had a very distinct way of talking which Portman successfully captures. But the performance goes beyond impersonation to embodiment as Jackie's tumultuous emotions- ranging from anger and sorrow to steely determination- play across her face. There are a lot of scenes with very little dialogue but you know exactly how she's feeling at any given time. One scene- when Jackie returns to the White House after the assassination, still wearing the blood-stained clothes- is particularly powerful.

Such is the power of Portman's performance, that other performances don't quite reach the same level. Crudup's reporter is really only there to ask questions and to prompt the story forwards (I do wonder whether this framing device was strictly necessary). Peter Sarsgaard is strong as Bobby Kennedy, attempting to support Jackie in her grief whilst managing his own and trying to ensure the Kennedy legacy. Greta Gerwig is good as Jackie's friend and confidante Nancy, whilst there's a surprising turn by John Hurt as an Irish priest who counsels Jackie in her darkest hours. 

Larrain mixes in real-life cinefootage with recreation to mostly good effect, although there are a couple of instances where this really jars (part of the funeral cortege, for example). The recreations, not only of the funeral procession but the assassination itself, are handled very well although the level of detail in the shooting may be too graphic for some people. The score- by Mica Levi- is also particularly strong.

Anchored by a very strong central performance, this is an absorbing study of a woman in crisis. It doesn't quite reach its full potential but is a strong drama nonetheless.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Tez