It's easy to look at films like Lady Bird and think of it as being a pretentious piece of cinema, but there's so much explored under the surface here that makes almost every one of those arguments invalid. I may be slightly biased in terms of enjoying dramas like this, but I genuinely feel that many people will be able to relate to at least one aspect of this movie. This is the definition of an indie film making its way into the mainstream and I must warn that it's not going to be for everyone. Here's why I think you may just fall in love with this movie under the right circumstances. Following a young woman as she awkwardly makes her way through her senior year of high school, Lady Bird explores popularity, family issues, jealousy, and numerous other issues that teenagers face on a daily basis, so if you go into this film having already experienced those years of your life, I guarantee there will be a section of this movie that you can relate to. This is what makes movies like this worth watching, at least in my opinion. It's really just a slice of life about a woman who goes by the alias "Lady Bird" throughout the majority of the film. There are many off-beat sequences and characters throughout this film that may turn many viewers off, but I believe they're saved by a tremendously committed performance by Saoirse Ronan. Ronan's performances have always been highlights of every movie she chooses, and Lady Bird is no exception to that statement. Her interaction with her friends, family members, classmates, and teachers all felt incredibly realistic. There are moments where her lines of dialogue do feel scripted which took me out of a few moments, but her delivery is always incredible, so that makes up for the fact that you may feel like you're watching just any old indie film. Her performance makes this film soar, but I think the real star of the show is the editor. The way this film's put together almost felt like a master had been at work for years on a passion project. The editing choices and the overall flow of each and every scene are truly what hooked me on this film more than I thought I would've been. Quite honest, the editor of this film played his own role in this movie, making a possibly boring aspect of the story unique to watch. The use of certain songs being played over and over again also became its own character in the story. Although this may not make it on my list for best films of 2017, I can truthfully say that Lady Bird is one of the more technically impressive films, even if not for effects. In the end, Lady Bird didn't blow me away in terms of storytelling, but the way the film is put together impacted me greatly. That, along with terrific performances and a solid exploration of the psyche of teenagers, really had me applauding by the time the credits began to roll. Personally, I felt as though there were many aspects to love about this movie, but I can't see everyone having the same reaction as I did, especially average moviegoers who aren't used to out-of-the-box filmmaking. As far as the story goes, many independent films have tackles this premise throughout the years, but it's all about how your film is presented and how it emotionally impacts its viewers, and I feel as though Lady Bird does that beautifully. The re-watchability isn't very present here, but it's a nearly flawless one-time viewing experience. Highly recommended to film fans.

Extremely well-done, small-scale, coming-of-age drama. Emotionally affecting and surprisingly funny. Ronan delivered a very profound performance as the titular character, Lady Bird.