Lady Bird

A subtle blend of objective & subjective concerns lights this film’s moving narrative.

The key to the critical success of Greta Gerwig's Lady Bird lies in its solid and competent narrative structure. While somewhat familiar in its exploration of a coming-of-age narrative, the holistic nature of its central character sets the film apart from others in its class (Main Character Problem-Solving Style of `Holistic).

Lady Bird tells the story of a young girl who learns to accept the hometown she grew up in, and by extension--her mother (Main Character Resolve of Changed](https://subtxt.app/storypoint/main-character-resolve/changed "Main Character Resolve of Changed - Narrative First"), [*Main Character Solution of* Acceptance, and Story Goal of Learning](https://subtxt.app/storypoint/story-goal/Learning "Story Goal of Learning - Narrative First")). Isolated and drawn to a world of culture that exists on the far side of the continent, Lady Bird rejects everything from affordable education to even her own name ([*Main Character Issue of* Attraction and Main Character Problem of Rejection](https://subtxt.app/storypoint/main-character-problem/Rejection "Main Character Problem of Rejection - Narrative First")). Eager for favorable reactions from her peers and worried of those from her mother, Bird seeks out a sense of belonging while secretly applying to far-off institutions ([*Main Character Focus of* Reaction and Main Character Direction of `Proaction).

Lady Bird's mother, Marion, spends most of the time pointing out how much everything costs (Obstacle Character Problem of Production](https://subtxt.app/storypoint/influence-character-problem/production "Obstacle Character Problem of Production - Narrative First")). Locked in a mindset of scarcity, she wastes little time divulging her opinion of everyone and everything around her ([*Obstacle Character Throughline of* Mind and Obstacle Character Issue of Appraisal](https://subtxt.app/storypoint/influence-character-issue/Appraisal "Obstacle Character Issue of Appraisal - Narrative First")). Still, the level of attention Marion pays to Lady Bird clues us in on why she acts this way and centers her greatest impact ([*Obstacle Character Concern of* Conscious). The nun's revelation of Bird's fondness for Sacramento really speaks of a nagging mother's love for her daughter.

The opening scene--of mother and daughter checking out potential colleges while driving--encapsulates the entirety of their dysfunctional relationship (Relationship Story Throughline of Psychology](https://subtxt.app/storypoint/relationship-story-domain/Psychology "Relationship Story Domain of Psychology - Narrative First")). With each trying to get the other to conceive of a different way of seeing things, mother and daughter come into conflict over an issue of incompatible wants ([*Relationship Story Concern of* Conceiving and Relationship Story Issue of Deficiency](https://subtxt.app/storypoint/relationship-story-issue/Deficiency "Relationship Story Issue of Deficiency - Narrative First")). A mother's hold over what her daughter can and can't do ignites the conflict between them--Marion wants Bird to stay close and safe and that's final ([*Relationship Story Catalyst of* Permission). With a mother driven to fear even the remote possibility of her daughter being exposed to violence, Bird finds no other alternative than to leap out of the moving car (Relationship Story Problem of Possibility](https://subtxt.app/storypoint/relationship-story-problem/possibility "Relationship Story Problem of Possibility - Narrative First") and [*Main Character Approach of* Do-er).

Bird isn't the only one learning to define herself. Both temporary boyfriend Danny O'Neil (Lucas Hedges) and father Larry (Tracy Letts) struggle to reconcile themselves against a society that, for the most part, wants nothing of them (Objective Story Concern of Learning](https://subtxt.app/storypoint/objective-story-concern/Learning "Objective Story Concern of Learning - Narrative First") and [*Objective Story Problem of* Rejection). As part of the Objective Story Throughline perspective, Danny and Larry provide an objective account of playing by somebody else's rules (Objective Story Issue of `Preconditions). When played in concert alongside Bird's personal experience with imposed restrictions, the narrative elevates itself towards a level of grander importance.

Lady Bird is no accident. Through a careful application of subjective and objective conflicts carrying elements that resonate across both, the script grants a greater meaning--a reason for telling the story. Stop rejecting everything around you, and you can learn to accept where you come from--and the love you were given.

A beautiful and effective argument--and one not to be missed.