Catherine Called Birdy Review: Fun but Thin
Lena Dunham has made a career out of penning comedy and women characters that live in their own bubbles. She is most recognised for her work on HBO's Girls. While still humorous, catherine Called Birdy, Dunham's fourth film as a filmmaker and her second this year after Sharp Stick, takes a new, more kid-friendly turn that avoids Dunham's R-rated humour in favour of a more toned-down treatment of feminist issues.
The movie, which is based on Karen Cushman's 1994 novel, follows Lady catherine (Bella Ramsey), also known as "Birdy" by her loved ones, as she works to avoid getting married. The 14-year-old has a pretty fortunate life, at least by mediaeval standards. Birdy has access to money and privileges that others do not because of Mother Lady Aislinn's status. The latter, however, is a problem because her father, Lord Rollo, spends the majority of the family's riches on items he doesn't really need. He decides to wed Birdy off to any wealthy man around in order to provide for his family's future. Naturally, Birdy is vehemently against this, and the disobedient, free-spirited girl must escape from this situation at all costs.
The feminism in catherine Called Birdy is confined to the notion that Birdy should have the right to select who she marries, which is very much anchored in its superficial girl power concepts. Although it has a simple premise, it succeeds because it centres on a teenage girl who lives in the Middle Ages. Dunham, who also created the script, uses mocking humour and ridiculous antics to distract viewers from considering the possibility that a 14-year-old could possibly marry someone older than her own father. The picture benefits from this aspect, and its superficial reading of Birdy is excused given that it is probably intended for a younger audience.
Although she would like for others to feel the same way as she does about everything, she begins to understand that they might not feel the same way as she does, and that's okay. Birdy understands that if people are able to discover happiness on their own, it doesn't have to be shared by her own unhappiness. While the movie struggles and loses its direction in the second act, it all comes together well at the end. Although it's entertaining for viewers of all ages, catherine Called Birdy will be most appreciated by younger audiences thanks to Ramsey's outstanding performance and a fantastic supporting cast.
The movie, which is based on Karen Cushman's 1994 novel, follows Lady catherine (Bella Ramsey), also known as "Birdy" by her loved ones, as she works to avoid getting married. The 14-year-old has a pretty fortunate life, at least by mediaeval standards. Birdy has access to money and privileges that others do not because of Mother Lady Aislinn's status. The latter, however, is a problem because her father, Lord Rollo, spends the majority of the family's riches on items he doesn't really need. He decides to wed Birdy off to any wealthy man around in order to provide for his family's future. Naturally, Birdy is vehemently against this, and the disobedient, free-spirited girl must escape from this situation at all costs.
The feminism in catherine Called Birdy is confined to the notion that Birdy should have the right to select who she marries, which is very much anchored in its superficial girl power concepts. Although it has a simple premise, it succeeds because it centres on a teenage girl who lives in the Middle Ages. Dunham, who also created the script, uses mocking humour and ridiculous antics to distract viewers from considering the possibility that a 14-year-old could possibly marry someone older than her own father. The picture benefits from this aspect, and its superficial reading of Birdy is excused given that it is probably intended for a younger audience.
Although she would like for others to feel the same way as she does about everything, she begins to understand that they might not feel the same way as she does, and that's okay. Birdy understands that if people are able to discover happiness on their own, it doesn't have to be shared by her own unhappiness. While the movie struggles and loses its direction in the second act, it all comes together well at the end. Although it's entertaining for viewers of all ages, catherine Called Birdy will be most appreciated by younger audiences thanks to Ramsey's outstanding performance and a fantastic supporting cast.