4 March 2018

Film

Lady Bird and her mother in "Lady Bird"
On Friday, I went to see "Lady Bird" written and directed by Greta Gerwig.

I tell you my friends that it is very nice to see a film that does not involve killing, detectives, car chases or any of  the other typical ingredients of what usually constitutes modern day film entertainment.

"Lady Bird" is about ordinary life. In my view, this is the most fertile ground for film drama that truly resonates and impacts upon ordinary observers. We don't need superheroes or shoot-outs, science fiction fantasies or ultra-drama. Ordinary life is enough.

Set in the suburbs of Sacramento, the film creates a powerful sense of Christine McPherson's community. She is a belligerent and rather wacky high school student with dreams. She even creates a new name for herself - Lady Bird.

Played by the brilliant Saoirse Ronan, Lady Bird has a warring relationship with her mother Marion played by Laurie Metcalf. Marion is a psychiatric nurse who often works double shifts just to keep the family afloat. They live on the wrong side of the railway track.

It is a "coming of age" film with many funny and tender moments. Lady Bird ends up at college in New York and comes to realise how much she really values the life she has left behind in Sacramento.

Some film reviewers believe that "Lady Bird" has a real chance of getting the "best film" award at tonight's Oscars ceremony in Hollywood and if it does achieve that glory, I for one will not complain though I think that "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri" is better.

21 comments:

  1. I'm happy to see an 'ordinary life' film from time to time. Paterson, which I saw last year was in a similiar vein and I like that film too.

    Alphie

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    1. Yes. I was happily entertained by "Paterson" too. Good comparison.

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  2. Many movies depend far too much on special effects.

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    1. A good story doesn't really need all those fireworks.

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  3. This movie has been receiving wonderful reviews...as have Ronan and Metcalf/ I will get to see it...but not at a theatre.

    These days I prefer to watch and enjoy watching movies in the privacy of home and hearth. That is just me and the way I am.

    I will be watching the Awards programme which is being shown here, live, from 11 am Monday morning (which is our tomorrow, as I write this response).

    Thanks for your thoughts on the movie, Yorkie.

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    1. I love to sit in a dark cinema with a big silver screen in front of me - no distractions.

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    2. Except for other people....

      I prefer the comfort of home; and dressing suitably comfortable for home. I prefer not having to sit next to strangers or have strangers climbing over me to get to seats. I prefer the comforts of home, in front of my big screen TV, with just me and my two furry rascally mates, Remy and Shama. :)

      No distractions....

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    3. As it happens a young couple with popcorn sat down right behind me so I had to move before the film started. There were only about thirty people present for an afternoon screening.

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    4. I much prefer watching in a movie theatre and these days. They are almost empty mid-morning during the week when we tend to go. Loud, big screen, no getting up for a cuppa. Perfect !

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  4. This sounds like a film I could enjoy, too. From time to time, though, I don't mind a bit of escapism in the form of a book or a film that takes me to a world completely different from my own. Nothing wrong with a good story told - and often the story behind the special effects or fantastic scenes is not so different from that of an ordinary life, just transported into a different environment.

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    1. Good point. I still think that there's too much killing in films, too much shooting, too much monosyllabic dialogue. Ordinary life is what really fascinates me.

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    2. Same here. I don't like/want/need to see killing, shooting, and people generally being nasty to each other, just for entertainment. It is bad enough that these things are going on (in some measure) in real life.

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  5. Special effects and high drama can be very entertaining but I much prefer low key and subtle 'ordinary life' films.

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  6. Sacramento truly is a place where real life can happen. We're boring to the people who sell their overpriced houses in LA and the Bay area (so stay there, you asses!) and come here to inflate the housing market, because Sacratomato still has agricultural roots. The most common thing said about the city is, "it's easy to get to the Sierras and the Bay Area" from here.

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    1. I understand that the director - Greta Gerwig - was herself a native of Sacramento. It sounds and looks like a fine place to me.

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  7. I've wanted to see this movie but we haven't yet. It's on my list!

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    1. It hasn't been out in British cinemas for long - released here on February 23rd.

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  8. After the last two disaster's I might just give this one a go.
    Briony
    x

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    Replies
    1. I hope that Tom will be well enough to accompany you Briony.

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  9. Well I found that a good place to rejoin your Blogland. I hate missing bits so usually read them all but have skipped a few this time.

    ** สมัคร D2BET**

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Mr Pudding welcomes all genuine comments - even those with which he disagrees. However, puerile or abusive comments from anonymous contributors will continue to be given the short shrift they deserve. Any spam comments that get through Google/Blogger defences will also be quickly deleted.

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