As I watched it, I found myself loving the movie, then not liking it much, and back and forth and back and forth. As the credits rolled, Carole and I talked about things we had liked, and things we found difficult, and I found myself in tears. What I liked about the film I really liked, and, added together, those many parts touched me deeply. The prom night reversals. The sense of place is marvellous; it's not often that a city besides New York or Los Angeles or maybe San Francisco is given such particular attention; good double feature with Paterson. I know the mother loved her daughter, underneath all that shame and shaming and judgment and disappointment, but for God's sake, get past it woman! You're the grown up here, and love isn't just what you feel deep down underneath, it's how you treat people. But how beautifully the film balanced her mother's influence not only with the kindness of her father, but by the decent teachers at her school - especially the "Just Married" nun ("But you were wrong about one thing. I've been married to Jesus for 40 years." "Lucky guy."). The math teacher who praises Lady Bird's friend. The two most misguided drama teachers since Waiting For Guffman - but so wonderful, and so invested in the kids. I'll never forget the blocking chalk talk. I also think of that other splendid Saoirse Ronan film, Brooklyn, with the Church occupying a similar place in the two young women's lives. The Soul Food touches are understated, subtle, deft - but for me, recollecting the film, significant.
Wow. I've really liked all of the last five movies I've seen. Wind River, Wonderstruck, Three Billboards, Florida Project, and now Lady Bird.
