Rarely is there a movie that captures both the immense love and intensity of a real mother-daughter relationship like “Lady Bird” does.
 
The indie-esque film, which features Greta Gerwig in her writing and directorial debut, has swept box offices, grossing 48.5 million USD since its premiere on Nov. 3, 2017. The film, however, has not generated the widespread praise that it deserves, since it only premiered in select theaters. “Lady Bird” is a perfect example of a non-monotonous and unique movie about mother-daughter relationships done right.
 
The plot revolves around the senior year of the artistic and outspoken Sacramento native Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson (Saoirse Ronan) as she navigates college applications, boyfriends, friendships and her turbulent relationship with her mother, Marion (Laurie Metcalf).
 
Christine, like many high school seniors, is fed up with her hometown and openly rebels against her struggling lower-middle class parents. Gerwig beautifully portrays Christine’s all-too-real longing to be in the popular crowd at her school, even leaving behind her long time best friend in hopes of cooler, richer friends.
 
Christine’s journey is relatable to so many high schoolers because of its raw validity; everyone wants something bigger and better; everyone is trying to find themselves and often loses their way.
 
The push and pull of Christine and her mother dominates much of the movie. Christine tells her boyfriend Danny (Lucas Hedges) that she lives on “the wrong side of the tracks”, which he so innocently repeats in front of Christine’s parents, causing a rift in the family.
 
This rift continues to grow, with Christine insisting that she wants to go to college in New York, much to her mother’s dismay. Her family can only afford in-state college which brings in another layer of real-life truth to the movie.
 
As Christine grows throughout the film, her bond with her mother is undeniable; her mother picks her up after a life a scarring experience with a boy and stands in her corner even after Christine makes the decision to go to college in New York.
 
The beautiful acting and connection between Ronan and Metcalf is raw and truthful in its portrayal. “Lady Bird” leaves every viewer walking away with a sense of hope, as the movie portrays perfectly that although life has its growing pains, things will always fall back into place.
 
“Lady Bird” is a must see for anyone looking for a feel-good, real movie.