The only thing that can surpass Gerwig’s sublime art, is herself.
The breakout movie of 2017 was no doubt Greta Gerwig’s “Lady Bird”. Making Rotten Tomatoes history, it is not uncommon to hear words such as “transcendent”, “spellbinding” and “breathtakingly honest” associated with the story. So there is little wonder, that though the film had already been out a month when A24 and Grace Hill Media presented a special screening followed by a Q&A with Gerwig herself, there was not a seat left empty.
Novels could be filled from the reviews written on “Lady Bird” (including The Knockturnal’s). However, I can’t say for certain that any of them have hit on the uniqueness that the film encompasses (do not quote me on this, I have yet to read every review in existence). What leads to this conclusion is that there is a special insider knowledge that singularly accompanies the joy of getting to hear Gerwig’s thoughts right after seeing the film. Her voice echoed through the theatre as the audience sat on the edges of their seats drinking in her words that are in an identical vein as the adolescent odyssey that they had just experienced. The moderator compared her work to that of a modern (I want to add in feminist) John Hugh’s movie. Meaning that it’s a piece that every person in the audience, despite age, gender, or location can resonate within some aspect.
Unfortunately we weren’t able to record this Q&A in any way, however, it should be noted that when Gerwig speaks you feel as though you can call her Greta. Not in a way of disrespect, but with the feeling of knowing someone with an intimacy of them knowing you without having spoken a word. When she recounts her personal dreams and inspirations, everything in the world seems a bit more possible.