Overall Thoughts: As off-putting and oddly charming as the book was.
I gotta hand it to Lena Dunham. It's not easy to write, direct and produce a movie like this. Catherine Called Birdy was a story I remembered from middle school. I remember it being an adaptation of medieval times. At the same time, it was a personal piece that had a lot to say about social roles during that era. A lot of it went over my head as a kid, but those themes became even more clear in the movie.
I gotta hand it to Lena Dunham. It's not easy to write, direct and produce a movie like this. Catherine Called Birdy was a story I remembered from middle school. I remember it being an adaptation of medieval times. At the same time, it was a personal piece that had a lot to say about social roles during that era. A lot of it went over my head as a kid, but those themes became even more clear in the movie.
One thing I remembered very much about the book is that it often carried some off-putting, out-of-left field moments. Catherine was called a "b***ard" several times, which I guess counted as a shock factor considering the time period. And while the movie does not have that same off-color moments, there are still some moments here that capture that same feeling from time to time.
Bella Ramsey captures Catherine very well, with a determined, headstrong persona that also shows convincing growth and maturity as the film continues. Andrew Scott also does a nice job showing convincing growth as Birdy's father, Lord Rollo. He goes from incredibly unlikable to someone willing to stand up for his daughter. He pulls off quite a terrific balancing act. The entire cast is pretty game, with Mimi M. Khayisa a standout as Lady Berenice Sidebottom. She really captures the fun, kind-hearted and understanding aspects of her character.
The pacing is overall very solid. The narration involving Birdy writing her own book helping keep things from getting too confusing. That being said, sometimes there's too many characters to keep up with. The production design and values are all solid, and remain refreshingly yesteryear without calling too much attention to itself.
On the downside, the story does lean a little bit too much into postmodern ideas a handful of times. Sometimes it gets a little carried away with including more current issues and topics. Meanwhile, the opening stretch is a little awkward, with some cringy moments and introductions here and there.
However, after the first 30 minutes, Catherine starts to slowly find its' footing, as it heads towards a surprisingly emotionally satisfying ending. Characters see convincing growth and maturity. The resolution is a positive one, even if it might not exactly reflect the time it's set in. And, there's even an engaging final conflict in the midst of all of it as well.
However, after the first 30 minutes, Catherine starts to slowly find its' footing, as it heads towards a surprisingly emotionally satisfying ending. Characters see convincing growth and maturity. The resolution is a positive one, even if it might not exactly reflect the time it's set in. And, there's even an engaging final conflict in the midst of all of it as well.
So, in the end, while it's an uneven experience from an entertainment perspective and it is slowed a bit by some out-of-place elements, Catherine Called Birdy is overall a decent watch for it's solid storytelling choices, strong cast, refreshing throwback vibes, and a fairly surprising ending that makes it worth the whole endeavor.
Grade: B
Is this movie family friendly? Catherine Called Birdy is rated PG-13 for "some suggestive material and thematic elements". There's talk and implied moments of a teenage girl's first period, sex, and "fornication". Birdy is seen caressing a near-naked statue of Jesus hanging on the cross at a monastery (she is rebuked for this). She also breaks in on her parents having an intimate moment (we don't see anything except them collecting themselves). Some drunknenness and male characters acting a little on the insane side. Some rebellious behavior and lying. A few uses each of "a**", "d***" and a couple s-words join a few of "oh my g**". A few characters are stern enough to not listen to others ideas as well, and treat females very subserviently (a sad custom to that era, unfortunately, however). In the end, I'm going to say this is an OK choice for ages 13 and older. Parents are encouraged to watch it first before making a decision on if their children are ready to watch.
Is this movie family friendly? Catherine Called Birdy is rated PG-13 for "some suggestive material and thematic elements". There's talk and implied moments of a teenage girl's first period, sex, and "fornication". Birdy is seen caressing a near-naked statue of Jesus hanging on the cross at a monastery (she is rebuked for this). She also breaks in on her parents having an intimate moment (we don't see anything except them collecting themselves). Some drunknenness and male characters acting a little on the insane side. Some rebellious behavior and lying. A few uses each of "a**", "d***" and a couple s-words join a few of "oh my g**". A few characters are stern enough to not listen to others ideas as well, and treat females very subserviently (a sad custom to that era, unfortunately, however). In the end, I'm going to say this is an OK choice for ages 13 and older. Parents are encouraged to watch it first before making a decision on if their children are ready to watch.
