by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
Where will Lena Dunham bring her talents next? With years of Girls on HBO, Dunham has created her own brand of humor and female stories. With the show passing on, Dunham has jumped into the film world. 2022 has been a big year for her, as she has taken on a few projects behind the camera. Two of her biggest projects hit VOD or streaming with equally feminine stories. Sharp Stick has not quite lit the world on fire with its uncomfortable narratives. But she takes a much safer route with her book adaptation of Catherine Called Birdy.
How does Dunham shake up her latest cinematic effort? We are taking this tale… medieval! Catherine Called Birdy takes plenty of modern thoughts and ideas that Dunham has plenty of practice in, but this time they are injected into this period setting. The medieval trappings are solid, but it does feel more cosplay than top-notch period pieces. The medieval setting is used thematically as well, highlighting some of the out-of-date notions of arranged marriages for our young protagonist. This settling makes great use of those thematic elements, which wind up being the whole core of the film.
But what (or who) is the true crown jewel of this medieval romp? Bella Ramsey as Birdy, a bright and precocious young woman, wise well beyond her age. She knows what she wants and will go to great lengths to reject these suitors that her father lays down in front of her. She is a strong and engaging presence on screen and truly anchors the whole film. Whenever she isn’t on screen, it feels like something was just missing. Her energy is infectious, and this energy powers all the clever and fun narrations sprinkled into the film. Ramsey herself is a lightning rod of charisma. You can barely look away whenever she is on screen, or even when she is speaking from off screen. That spark she brought to Game of Thrones comes right over, but this time she gets plenty of screen time and a leading role. Ramsey creates Birdy in a way where she is a genuinely intelligent and wise character, and the way she delivers Dunham’s dialogue is perfectly organic.
How is this all translating to the other members of the cast? You have Andrew Scott, who plays Birdy’s dad. Scott is such an impressive talent, and he does plenty to shine in this role, which ultimately comes down to some awkward moments, but also a climax where he must step up. There are plenty of fun supporting actors, and even a few big names as well. We already discussed the charm of Scott but there are some other veteran actors who make their presence felt. Russell Brand pops up for a fun role as a potential suitor for our young protagonist (which is gross). The likes of Sophie Okonedo bring grace and presence to the screen, which is great for this regal type of tale. Character actors like Paul Kaye, David Bradley, and Ralph Ineson bring some weight to the proceedings, which is also needed.
How far can charm go when looking at a film? According to Catherine Called Birdy, it can go a LONG way. Even if you get a standard affair when it comes to narrative, Ramsey as Birdy is enough to make this a worthwhile watch (you might want to wait for streaming for that case). But some might find plenty of fun in this medieval romp. Dunham wrote some impressive dialogue in her latest directorial effort. This film runs with a sharp and exciting pace and energy that is worth experiencing.
Score: 8/10
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