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'Ladybird' is another bungled potential masterpiece

“Ladybird” details the latter part of a girl’s high school years and all the awkward, complicated and emotional elements such a scenario entails. The two main stars, Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf, render nothing short of epic, raw and deeply sensitive and prickly performances.

The supporting cast was equally impressive, leaving significant emotional marks on the audience. About half of this film contained some of the most brilliant moments I have ever seen in any story, while the other part was fumbled so badly, it was hard to comprehend that this was the same director or writer.

Like many other films over the past few years, half of the film jumped around with no seeming sense of connection or conversation to weave or to bring meaning to the audience. Exasperation is the best way to describe my feelings surrounding such random and inexplicable scenes, and unfortunately, this film was filled with them.

Conversely, other parts of the film – most notably those between the mother and daughter – left gaping holes in one’s heart, as sad, sharp, funny and heartwarming verbal exchanges and glares produced breathtaking moments.

Separate, but equally exquisite encounters – between the father and a couple of friends – were scattered throughout the film as well. Scenes that mixed hurt and sorrow with inspiring levels of maturity and innocence.

Sadly, every time it seemed that the film had turned the corner to provide a cohesive direction, it became, alas, more baffling or at a minimum unfulfilling as segments were injected into the storyline.

As it became clear that the film was drawing to a close – based solely on the minutes the reel had been rolling because there was no crescendo-like momentum to alert viewers of the fact – the movie ended with an unparalleled whimper and a simultaneous, and nearly unanimous, sigh of disbelief from the crowd.

Though my level of disappointment was notable regarding this film, I think that it is worth seeing on DVD, if only for the priceless moments that do transpire. These moments are not novel, in the sense that most adolescents live through them; however, it is the heavenly acting that makes them extremely special and helps to save, what might otherwise have been, a complete debacle.

**1/2/*****

 

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