Greta Gerwig makes her directing debut in this powerful, funny, coming-of-age mother/daughter struggle. Gerwig casts Saoirse Ronan as a 17-year-old high school senior, and Laurie Metcalf as her mother. Lady Bird, a self-imposed nickname the character insists the family call her, longs for a bigger life in a larger setting than her home town of Sacramento. Her mother comes from a place of realistic expectations. Metcalf must deal with her husband's job loss, holding the family anxiety, and trying to make ends meet. The idea of a bigger life makes her snort. The crisis arrives when Lady Bird insists on applying to an East Coast college, and with the support of her father (Tracy Letts) gets accepted. "Lady Bird" concludes with two scenes, solo turns for both women, that speak volumes. "Lady Bird," 4 stars, rated "R." Does it deliver what it promises? Powerful, truthful coming-of-age story. Is it entertaining? Fascinating. Is it worth the price of admission? A must-see award contender.
