Lady Bird (2017)

Greta Gerwig’s Lady Bird is a poignant, coming-of-age dramedy that explores the complicated bond between a teenage girl and her mother. Set in early-2000s Sacramento, the film is both deeply personal and widely relatable, offering a heartfelt portrait of adolescence, identity, and home. Let’s dive into every essential aspect of the movie.

Detailed Summary

Setting the Stage: Who is Lady Bird?

Christine McPherson (Saoirse Ronan), who insists on being called “Lady Bird,” is a high school senior at a Catholic school in Sacramento, California. From the opening scene—where Lady Bird and her mother Marion (Laurie Metcalf) share a tender car moment that quickly dissolves into an argument—the film establishes the central emotional tension: a daughter yearning for independence and self-definition, and a mother desperate to keep her grounded and safe.

Lady Bird dreams of leaving Sacramento for a liberal arts college on the East Coast, while her pragmatic mother, who works double shifts as a nurse, stresses financial responsibility and urges her to consider state schools.

First Love, First Betrayals

Lady Bird’s emotional and romantic awakening begins when she starts dating Danny (Lucas Hedges), a sweet theater kid she meets during school play auditions. The two connect quickly, and their shared moments are innocent and endearing—until Lady Bird discovers Danny is gay after accidentally walking in on him kissing another boy.

Heartbroken but not cruel, Lady Bird remains supportive of Danny, even comforting him when he tearfully asks her not to tell anyone. This moment marks a turning point for Lady Bird—an early lesson in empathy, complexity, and heartbreak.

Reinvention and Rebellion

Next comes Kyle (Timothée Chalamet), a brooding, conspiracy-theory-obsessed musician who embodies everything “cool” in Lady Bird’s eyes. Their relationship is more physical, less emotional, and ultimately disappointing. Kyle lies about being a virgin, undermines Lady Bird’s feelings, and represents the type of rebellion that leaves a sour aftertaste.

Lady Bird also drifts away from her best friend Julie (Beanie Feldstein) as she tries to impress the popular Jenna Walton. This classic teenage misstep—abandoning a true friend for social clout—soon becomes another point of regret and growth.

Family Struggles and Silent Love

At home, tension with her mother escalates. Marion is passive-aggressive, withholding affection and constantly reminding Lady Bird of her shortcomings. Meanwhile, Lady Bird’s father, Larry (Tracy Letts), is gentle and loving but secretly battling depression and unemployment. One of the film’s most powerful undercurrents is the quiet strength of Larry and the unseen burdens he carries to keep his family afloat.

Despite their conflicts, Lady Bird and her mother clearly love each other. Marion expresses this love through practical concerns—like fixing Lady Bird’s dress or helping her secretly apply to out-of-state colleges behind her father’s back. The emotional disconnect between what Marion does and what Lady Bird hears becomes a central theme.

Movie Ending

Lady Bird gets accepted to a college in New York. Although she’s thrilled, she’s aware that her mother disapproves, even refusing to speak to her for days. In a heart-wrenching sequence, Marion drops Lady Bird off at the airport but drives away without saying goodbye. Later, we see Marion having a breakdown while driving, overwhelmed by the emotions she tried so hard to repress.

Once in New York, Lady Bird explores her new freedom. She ditches her nickname and introduces herself as Christine for the first time. After a night of drinking lands her in the hospital, she attends church alone the next morning, clearly homesick and reflective.

In the final scene, Lady Bird calls her mother, leaving a voicemail. She thanks her for everything—especially for giving her a sense of home and love, even if they struggled to express it. The film ends with Lady Bird walking into the city, finally more grounded, more aware, and just a bit closer to understanding the woman who raised her.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Lady Bird does not have any post-credits scenes. Once the credits roll, the film is over, staying true to its grounded and realistic tone.

Type of Movie

Lady Bird is a coming-of-age drama with elements of comedy. It’s also very much a character study, focusing on personal growth, familial love, and identity.

Cast

• Saoirse Ronan as Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson
• Laurie Metcalf as Marion McPherson
• Tracy Letts as Larry McPherson
• Beanie Feldstein as Julie Steffans
• Lucas Hedges as Danny O’Neill
• Timothée Chalamet as Kyle Scheible
• Lois Smith as Sister Sarah Joan

Film Music and Composer

The film features a score by Jon Brion, known for his work on Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. The soundtrack includes songs from early-2000s artists like Justin Timberlake and Dave Matthews Band, grounding the film in its time period while reflecting Lady Bird’s emotional highs and lows.

Filming Locations

Lady Bird was filmed in Sacramento, California, Greta Gerwig’s real hometown. The setting plays a huge role in the story, almost becoming a character itself. Iconic local landmarks like the American River, Tower Bridge, and the Blue House add authenticity. Gerwig reportedly took great care to capture the real spirit of the city she once wanted to leave—only to later realize how much she loved it.

Awards and Nominations

Lady Bird was a critical darling and a major awards contender:

• Nominated for 5 Academy Awards:
  • Best Picture
  • Best Director (Greta Gerwig)
  • Best Actress (Saoirse Ronan)
  • Best Supporting Actress (Laurie Metcalf)
  • Best Original Screenplay
• Won:
  • 2 Golden Globes (Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Actress for Ronan)

Greta Gerwig made history as the fifth woman ever nominated for Best Director at the Oscars.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Lady Bird was Greta Gerwig’s solo directorial debut.
• The film’s script was partially autobiographical, though Gerwig insists it’s not a direct memoir.
• The chemistry between Ronan and Metcalf was built almost instantly; they even rehearsed car scenes in a parked vehicle to develop tension.
• Sacramento businesses and locals eagerly supported the filming, allowing for a highly personal and community-driven production.
• The crew kept the budget modest (around $10 million), relying on character-driven storytelling over big effects.

Inspirations and References

• Heavily inspired by Greta Gerwig’s own life growing up in Sacramento.
• The movie pays homage to Italian neorealism and French New Wave—personal, character-focused cinema that lets life unfold naturally.
• Lady Bird also shares thematic DNA with films like The 400 Blows and Boyhood.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

Greta Gerwig has confirmed that the film’s ending was always planned as written. However, some deleted scenes involved more interactions between Lady Bird and Kyle, which were cut for pacing and thematic clarity.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Lady Bird is not based on a book. It is an original screenplay by Greta Gerwig. However, its deeply literary tone and strong internal character arcs make it feel novelistic.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Lady Bird jumping out of the moving car during an argument with her mom.
• The bathroom stall crying scene after learning Danny is gay.
• Kyle casually telling Lady Bird he lied about being a virgin.
• The college party in New York, contrasting sharply with Sacramento life.
• Lady Bird calling her mom and finally calling herself “Christine.”

Iconic Quotes

• “People go by the names their parents give them, but they don’t believe in God?”
• “Different things can be sad. It’s not all war!”
• “I want you to be the very best version of yourself.”
  “What if this is the best version?”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• The name “Christine” only appears a few times; Gerwig deliberately emphasized “Lady Bird” to reflect the character’s need for self-identity.
• Lady Bird’s prom dress is inspired by Gerwig’s own high school prom photo.
• The scene where she lies about living in a fancy neighborhood is a subtle nod to class struggles—a recurring theme throughout the film.

Trivia

• Greta Gerwig cried when she saw Ronan in full costume for the first time, saying she looked exactly like the character in her mind.
• The film was shot in just 23 days.
• Saoirse Ronan had severe acne during filming, and Gerwig instructed makeup artists to leave it visible to keep her appearance realistic.
• Timothée Chalamet learned to roll his own cigarettes for his character.

Why Watch?

Watch Lady Bird for its authentic portrayal of adolescence, its nuanced mother-daughter relationship, and its sharp, witty dialogue. It’s a movie that doesn’t shout—it speaks quietly, truthfully, and often hilariously. Whether you’ve ever felt misunderstood by your parents, longed for something more, or looked back on home with unexpected tenderness, this film will hit you right in the heart.

Director’s Other Movies

• Little Women (2019)
• Barbie (2023) – co-written
• Nights and Weekends (2008, co-directed)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Little Women (2019)
• The Edge of Seventeen (2016)
• Frances Ha (2012)
• Boyhood (2014)
• The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
• Call Me by Your Name (2017)
• Eighth Grade (2018)