Lady Bird

"Lady Bird," directed by Greta Gerwig in 2017, is set in Sacramento, California in 2002, where the director spent much of her life. While initially appearing as a typical teenage drama, the movie explores many different ideas in a subtle way, which encourages viewers to think about its complex themes.

The movie explores the life of Christine, aiming for a portrayal that feels genuine and unembellished. It's characterized by its simplicity, authenticity, and naturalism, allowing viewers to relate themselves fully.

Throughout the movie, it talks about a lot of different things honestly, without making them seem too dramatic or exaggerated, giving us a real look at the characters' lives. The title, "Lady Bird," holds significant symbolism directly related to the plot, transcending its literal translation as "Uğur Böceği" in Turkish which translators should have just kept as “Lady Bird”.

The movie opens in a car with Lady Bird and her mother discussing her college plans and her new name Lady Bird". She dreams of going to New York, but her mother breaks the news that they can't afford it accusing her of being selfish. This sparks a heated argument, with hurtful words exchanged between them. In a moment of despair, Ladybird impulsively throws herself onto the road. It's a powerful yet oddly humorous scene, showing how Lady Bird feels.

Later, Lady Bird is seen in a Catholic Private School, showing the pressure she faces as a teenager. Throughout the movie, she deals with typical adolescent challenges, navigating friendships, attending theater, and pursuing romance. She has two boyfriends in the film, one of whom is homosexual, while the other is portrayed as a "bad boy" character, played by Timothee Chalamet. The movie ends with Lady Bird leaving her hometown behind as she heads off to college.

The plot of "Lady Bird" encompasses not only the struggles of Lady Bird's teenage years and her pursuit of the college she desires but also explores deeper issues such as the complex dynamics of mother-daughter relationships, identity crises, self-acceptance, sexuality, religious beliefs, social classes in America, educational inequality, and the quest for freedom. Lady Bird's chosen name holds significant weight, symbolizing her journey towards independence and self-realization.

As a character, Lady Bird has traits of stubbornness, strength, wit, and a desire for attention. Her relationship with her mom is filled with tension, yet she really wants her mom to approve of and support her, something many women can relate to.

While waiting to hear back from the New York college, Lady Bird's name gave me comfort, a symbol of freedom like birds. As the movie nears its conclusion, Lady Bird manages to secure admission to a college in New York, thanks to her father's assistance. However, her mother stops talking to her when she finds out throughout the summer leaving her feeling deeply upset, especially when her mother fails to show up at the airport. 

Additionally, the film addresses ageism, highlighting discrimination based on age. This is evident when Lady Bird's father faces rejection from job opportunities merely due to his age, despite his extensive experience.

While Lady Bird may not perfectly fit into societal norms, she remains stable in her belief in God. This aspect of her character is touchingly portrayed in the final scene, where she finds comfort in a New York church after getting lost and drunk at a party. In a conversation with a fellow partygoer, she expresses her confusion over those who don't believe in God, showing her unshakable faith. In the end, "Lady Bird" goes beyond its basic story to delve into the challenges of growing up and discovering oneself. In college, she struggles with who she is and chooses to go back to her original name, Christine, as she embraces her true identity.

The movie received a lot of praise, with 41 nominations and 13 awards in 2018, showing how much people liked it. It covers a lot of important topics in a short amount of time, which is truly impressive. I highly recommend watching this exceptional and thought-provoking movie.