Growing pains leave a firm mark

Lady Bird BBC3, Friday at 9.15pm ●●●●●

Indie darling Greta Gerwig makes her directorial debut in an original take on the coming-of-age template.

Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf are in blistering form as the at-odds mother and daughter.

Drifting in and out of different tones, it does feel a little unfocused; but that’s in keeping with Ronan’s antsy teenager.

Any time Ronan’s character threatens to become a bit too arrogant or unlikable she pulls us back in with a moment of levity, vulnerability or charm.

Rarely have the perils of growing up been so accurately portrayed.