elane madrilejo,
The “coming-of-age” film genre has been around for quite some time and it has been wildly popular among teenagers for it features stories about the protagonist’s journey through adolescence and tackles topics that are interesting and relatable to teenagers. It usually deals with topics like having complicated romantic feelings, dramatic friendship feuds, teenage angst or some other personal issues which is why films like these sometimes feel like they exaggerate teenage issues. This often results in actions and situations that are far from what happens in real life. It also sets up unrealistic views and expectations on how teenagers actually live and behave.
Though, unlike other “coming-of age” movies, Greta Gerwig’s 2017 film Lady Bird is different and stands out from the rest for it uses the same topics and conflicts as other films but at the same time it remains grounded and relatable for its young viewers. It delivers a fresh depiction on a teenager’s voyage to adulthood and offers a lot of charm from its actors.
It starts with Christine McPherson (Saorise Ronan), giving herself a new name and making everyone call her “Lady Bird.” She is an eccentric high school student who aspires to get in a good college so she can move far away from her hometown. This pushed her to join school activities so she can improve her resumés and hopefully put her life in order. She encounters common relationship problems along the way. Starting with her school, boyfriend, and best friend, but the most highlighted relationship is the one she has with her mom. It is the type of bond where they spend most of their time bickering but then also shows how compassionate they can get for each other. Their love is more evident on how they pay attention to each other rather than just saying it out loud. Their dialogue exchanges were the most memorable in the film because it highlighted how complex yet loving mother-daughter relationships are.
Mrs. McPherson: “I want you to be the very best version of yourself that you can be.”
Lady Bird: “What if this is the best version?”
Aside from the family themes, the film also tackles conflicts on self-improvement and preparation for one’s future. At the start, it shows how Lady Bird can be reckless and stubborn which causes dismay for the people around her. She never fails to tell everyone about her dreams yet they all know it won’t work for her due to her work ethics. But this didn’t stop her from attempting to reach her goal. The film also managed to show how her life is not a “success story” but a series of her trying, failing then trying again, to become a better person, making the film even more realistic and relatable for everyone.
Overall, Lady Bird is a great heartfelt film that deserves each award and nomination it received. However, it does have its flaws like having loose ends plot wise, being too fast-paced and only scratching the surface of some problems mentioned. [Make the structure parallel.]. But those are no match for the effective delivery of dialogues, fantastic acting, and clear story-telling. It is an amazing “coming-of-age” film that highlights the importance of knowing who you really are and what you want in your life. It is perfect for those who are unsure of how they can prepare for their future or for those who want to relive the joys and struggles of those moments.
Lady Bird will be showing on February 28 in selected cinemas.//by Elane Madrilejo
Feature: Lady Bird: A Familiar Yet Fresh Take on the “Coming of Age” Genre
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| Photosource: A24 Films, https://a24films.com/ |
The “coming-of-age” film genre has been around for quite some time and it has been wildly popular among teenagers for it features stories about the protagonist’s journey through adolescence and tackles topics that are interesting and relatable to teenagers. It usually deals with topics like having complicated romantic feelings, dramatic friendship feuds, teenage angst or some other personal issues which is why films like these sometimes feel like they exaggerate teenage issues. This often results in actions and situations that are far from what happens in real life. It also sets up unrealistic views and expectations on how teenagers actually live and behave.
Though, unlike other “coming-of age” movies, Greta Gerwig’s 2017 film Lady Bird is different and stands out from the rest for it uses the same topics and conflicts as other films but at the same time it remains grounded and relatable for its young viewers. It delivers a fresh depiction on a teenager’s voyage to adulthood and offers a lot of charm from its actors.
It starts with Christine McPherson (Saorise Ronan), giving herself a new name and making everyone call her “Lady Bird.” She is an eccentric high school student who aspires to get in a good college so she can move far away from her hometown. This pushed her to join school activities so she can improve her resumés and hopefully put her life in order. She encounters common relationship problems along the way. Starting with her school, boyfriend, and best friend, but the most highlighted relationship is the one she has with her mom. It is the type of bond where they spend most of their time bickering but then also shows how compassionate they can get for each other. Their love is more evident on how they pay attention to each other rather than just saying it out loud. Their dialogue exchanges were the most memorable in the film because it highlighted how complex yet loving mother-daughter relationships are.
Mrs. McPherson: “I want you to be the very best version of yourself that you can be.”
Lady Bird: “What if this is the best version?”
Aside from the family themes, the film also tackles conflicts on self-improvement and preparation for one’s future. At the start, it shows how Lady Bird can be reckless and stubborn which causes dismay for the people around her. She never fails to tell everyone about her dreams yet they all know it won’t work for her due to her work ethics. But this didn’t stop her from attempting to reach her goal. The film also managed to show how her life is not a “success story” but a series of her trying, failing then trying again, to become a better person, making the film even more realistic and relatable for everyone.
Overall, Lady Bird is a great heartfelt film that deserves each award and nomination it received. However, it does have its flaws like having loose ends plot wise, being too fast-paced and only scratching the surface of some problems mentioned. [Make the structure parallel.]. But those are no match for the effective delivery of dialogues, fantastic acting, and clear story-telling. It is an amazing “coming-of-age” film that highlights the importance of knowing who you really are and what you want in your life. It is perfect for those who are unsure of how they can prepare for their future or for those who want to relive the joys and struggles of those moments.
Lady Bird will be showing on February 28 in selected cinemas.//by Elane Madrilejo
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