What to watch this week

Comedy drama. With Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf and Tracy Letts. Director: Greta Gerwig. 16DLS. Set in 2002 – before smartphones and Instagram – this Golden Globe-winning film tells the story of Christine McPherson (Ronan) as she and her hapless family endure the emotional roller coaster that is adolescence.

As the movie begins we learn that our feisty protagonist prefers to be called Lady Bird, which she considers her “given name” (“I gave it to myself, it was given to me by me,” she explains). And as Lady Bird transitions from high school to college, she makes it abundantly clear she’s unhappy with everything in her life – her educational prospects (she longs to go to a prestigious university but will probably end up at the local community college); her disappointing social life; and her relationship with her neurotic but loving mother, Marion (Metcalf).

This low-budget flick has all the hallmarks of a paint-by-numbers coming-ofage tale, but the combination of Ronan’s stellar performance and fine direction elevates it to an Oscar-worthy breath of fresh air. With her solo directorial debut, Gerwig – an actress best known for starring in indie films such as 20th Century Women (2016) – has created an incredibly authentic portrait of teenage angst.

Nominated for five Academy Awards, this is undoubtedly among the best films of the year.