Inside ‘Lady Bird’: Greta Gerwig Says She Wanted to Write a Different Kind of Love Letter to Catholic School — and It Might Just Win Her an Oscar
In anticipation of the 90th Academy Awards, presents three educational movies that have been nominated for Oscars.
Filmmakers often resort to mocking Catholic schools in their work. However, writer and director Greta Gerwig took a different approach.
Gerwig has expressed that her film, Lady Bird, could be considered as a unique declaration of love for Catholic education. It follows the life of Christine McPherson, a high school senior who goes by the name Lady Bird. The film captures her ups and downs as she attends classes, applies for college, and navigates relationships with loved ones.
Lady Bird has already received numerous accolades, including multiple Oscar nominations for its writing, acting, directing, and as the best picture.
During an interview, Stephen Colbert asked Saoirse Ronan, the lead actress in Lady Bird, why a movie about a 17-year-old with pink hair attending a Catholic school in Sacramento resonates with so many people. Ronan responded, "You’re witnessing this individual discovering themselves. It’s a very human experience that transcends gender."
While Gerwig herself is not Catholic, she attended St. Francis Catholic High School in Sacramento, which served as the inspiration for the all-girls school, Immaculate Heart, featured in Lady Bird (affectionately nicknamed as Immaculate Fart by the students).
Gerwig cherished her Catholic school experience, particularly the compassionate, funny, empathetic, and thoughtful teachers, both religious and lay people, who genuinely cared for their students. In an interview with Religion News Service, she stated, "The priests and nuns engaged with us as individuals, rather than mere figureheads."
This inspiration shines through in the film, especially in the interactions between Lady Bird and Sister Sarah Joan, the school principal. Sister Sarah Joan recognizes Lady Bird’s yearning for identity and attention, a trait often overlooked by other characters. During a heated argument after school, Lady Bird’s best friend, Julie, angrily exclaims, "You can’t do anything unless you’re the center of attention, can you?"
In one poignant scene, Sister Sarah Joan invites Lady Bird to her office after reading her college essay. She praises Lady Bird’s affectionate and meticulous depiction of her hometown. Lady Bird nonchalantly replies, "I guess I pay attention." Throughout the film, Lady Bird constantly expresses her desire to escape Sacramento for a more cultured environment on the East Coast.
Sister Sarah Joan then poses a thought-provoking question, "Don’t you think love and attention might be the same thing?"
Although Lady Bird can be seen as a love letter to Catholic education, it subtly critiques certain aspects of Catholic schools. The movie is set in 2002, a time when discussions about the LGBT community were often stifled in Catholic communities. In one scene, Lady Bird finds herself comforting her ex-boyfriend, Danny, as he tearfully begs her not to reveal his homosexuality. Gerwig recalls that during her school years, she doesn’t remember anyone being openly gay, as it was a dangerous and hostile environment. She expresses gratitude that times have changed.
Another central theme in the film is the struggle for female identity within a patriarchal church. The movie opens with a montage of a back-to-school Mass, accompanied by a voice-over of a priest reciting the Sign of the Cross, "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
Gerwig reflects on her teenage years, stating, "As a teenage girl, you wonder, ‘Where do I fit in these roles? I’m not a father, son, or holy spirit.’ You could strive to be the Virgin Mary, but she always seems to be on the periphery, not the main focus. It’s a feeling of ‘Where do I belong in this patriarchal structure?’" Lady Bird confronts and challenges this issue throughout the film.
Overall, Lady Bird effectively captures the essence of Catholic education, while also shedding light on its flaws and limitations. It serves as a testament to the transformative and complex experiences of young individuals navigating a world dominated by tradition and expectations.
According to Gerwig, the final year of high school is both intense and fleeting. It holds a certain vibrancy as it draws to a close. This applies to both parents and their children. It is a wonderful experience that is often taken for granted and ends just as one begins to fully appreciate it.
Check out the trailer:
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