Theme
Theme
Depression, Identity, generational gap, class, religion, family.
How does Lady Bird change throughout the story?
Start: Impulsive, rebellious
Middle: Awareness, self-reflection
End: Acceptance, appreciation
Resolution: Gratitude and reconciliation
What is the meaning behind the blue house?
-It represents Lady Bird's longing for a life beyond her current circumstances and shows distinction between different social classes.
- Lady Bird wanting a life there; in the beginning of the film, Lady Bird and Julie, walk around the neighborhood looking at the different houses. in a later scene, Danny is taking Lady Bird to his grandmother's house which happens to be the Blue House.
What technique is being used in this scene? 2:55
Classical Cutting and Shot Reverse Shot
Cutting back and forth to enhance tension between the characters.
What scenes represent the theme "identity" in this film?
Ladybird insisting on being called Ladybird, rejecting Christine as a form of independence.
Danny coming out to Ladybird at the coffee shop, being scared of how others would react and begging her not to tell anyone until he was ready.
Ladybird introducing herself as Christine at the college party, reconciling with her past.
How does Lady Bird's brother (Miguel) contrast Lady Bird's character?
- Miguel and his girlfriend got degrees from Berkeley but still ended up in a grocery store; success doesn't always come from independence.
- Miguel is compared to Lady Bird from an academic standpoint.
What color schemes are shown throughout the film? What might they represent?
-Pink: Lady Bird's self-expression, A standout visual, Individualism.
-Blue: Peace, Truth and Wisdom, Depression, Devotion to the divine
-Yellow: Happiness, Enlightenment
-Earth tones (Brown and green): Security, Connected to Life, Renewal
- Purple: Growth, Transition from Teen to Adult
- Red: Self-love, Passion, Courage
What technique is being used in this scene? 52:17
Intercutting: associative editing that inserts shots to create symbolic/thematic meaning through juxtaposition.
-Cut from Jenna and Lady Bird, to Lady Bird alone in class without Julie.
What does the phrase "from the wrong side of the tracks" represent throughout the film?
The phrase "from the wrong side of the tracks" represents the class disparity and social aspiration seen throughout Lady Bird. It serves as a literal divide between Ladybird's background and her desire to be part of a wealthier social circle. Lady Bird's desire to attend an East Coast college can also be seen as her trying to escape the 'wrong side of the tracks' ie. Sacramento, or the wrong side of opportunity.
What is the importance of Lady Bird's Father in the family unit?
-He is the mediator of the family.
- He sees the similarities between Lady Bird and Marion.
- He balances Marion's tough love: "You and your mom have strong personalities."
What is "Lady Bird"?
Rebellion, identity, "alter ego"
it's also the name of (what we know as) a ladybug; they symbolize positive change and personal growth.
What technique is being used in this scene? 43:01
180 degree rule: draw an imaginary line between these two characters (or subjects) and try to keep your camera(s) on the same side of this 180-degree line.
A rule of continuity.
Makes the focus on the character interaction.
What does religion add towards the story?
Religion serves as self-discovery and a sense of community. It provides a source of structure as well as rebellion, as well as several guiding voices for Lady Bird throughout the film. Sister Joan is portrayed as wise and understanding, guiding Lady Bird without being overbearing. She was also the one to suggest to Lady Bird that the way she wrote about Sacramento suggests a deep love to it.
Towards the end after she moves to New York, Christine seeks out a church, finding comfort and familiarity that faith can provide. It symbolizes her coming to terms with her roots and appreciating what she once rejected.
How does the mother and daughter relationship evolve throughout the film?
- In the opening scene Lady Bird and Marion are the closest; through the progression of the film, they continue to drift further apart.
-Highs and lows of the relationship
- Lady Bird defending her mother: "My Mom has a big heart"
-Consoled by mother
-Explosive argument
-Silent treatment
-Regret
-Gratitude
-Forgiveness
How do Car Scenes move the story along?
-Mark emotional shifts and pivotal moments of the film.
-Are a representation of freedom and constraint (lack of license)
Examples:
- Mother and daughter crying over the audiobook
- Lady bird is always doing something to make the car not go to its destination
- Need for a Driver's license
- Freedom in New York
What technique is being used in this scene? 1:28:25
Match cut:a film editing technique where a transition between two shots is made seamless by matching similar visual elements, movement, or audio, creating a smooth and connected transition even when the scenes are different.
A symbolic link between two things.
What does age have to do with the distance between Lady Bird and her family?
- The scene where Lady Bird sneaks back home after the school dance and Marion starts arguing with her.
- "My mother was an abusive alcoholic."
How are Danny and Kyle narratively different from one another?
Danny represents Lady Bird's world of familiarity and Kyle represents the exotic. Both comment on Lady Bird's path towards true identity. Both romantic interests are instrumental to exploring social class.
Danny represents a more innocent relationship that turns into a friendship. While they do not work together romantically, they still are close.
Kyle is the “bad boy”, he shows LadyBird that she doesn't need to change herself or her friends, and goes back to her original friend group.
What does the East Coast represent?
-Freedom, Identity, Culture, and a new start.
What is the overall editing style of Lady Bird?
Continuity Editing: film editing technique that aims to create a seamless and believable narrative by connecting shots in a way that maintains a consistent flow of time, space, and action, ensuring the story feels coherent and avoids jarring transition.
-Makes filmmaking "Invisible", and the story more ground and realistic.