Lady Bird, the directorial debut of actress Greta Gerwig, is the semi-autobiographical story of a teenager growing up in Sacramento California in 2002.

17 year old Lady Bird (real name Christine) is longing to get away from her home town and her slightly overbearing mother to a New York college, despite her less than impressive academic record. Dismissive of her mother's financial concerns, Lady Bird is more interested in her social standing, the local boys and what her future holds.

Gerwig makes a fine debut with Lady Bird, a film that deals with a well-trodden subject with wit and honesty. A funny and astute script and a great cast ensure this is an enjoyable watch.

Saoirse Ronan is as impressive as always as the flawed, occasionally infuriating but funny Lady Bird, with both Laurie Metcalf and Tracy Letts on moving form as her parents.
While Ronan has great chemistry with the very funny Beanie Feldstein as her best friend Julie. Lucas Hedges and Timothee Chalamet are also good value as Lady Bird's love interests.

Familiar territory feels fresh in Gerwig's hands with a film that focuses more on the lead character's relationships with her mother and best friend, rather than the standard romantic entanglements with boys that define most teen coming-of-age films.

Lady Bird, after successful collaborations with Noah Baumbach, marks Gerwig as a promising filmmaker in her own right.