Catherine Called Birdy: Film Review
Following a long absence from filmmaking, Lena Dunham has returned to feature directing with a bang this year by releasing two films – Sharp Stick (which doesn’t have a UK date) and Catherine Called Birdy. The latter, a medieval comedy, is a completely unexpected type of project for Dunham but she pulls it off.
The film is set in Stonebridge in Lincoln in 1290 and follows 14-year-old Lady Catherine (Bella Ramsey), also known as Birdy. Catherine may be a lady by title but she certainly doesn’t live up to the name – she is naughty, bossy and messy. After wasting the family’s money, her father Lord Rollo (Andrew Scott) decides that the only way to rescue their finances is to find a wealthy man for Catherine, his only daughter, to marry. Birdy isn’t fond of the idea and tries to put off every suitor that comes her way.
Despite the medieval setting, this is a classic coming-of-age tale filled with teenage angst, boy crushes, rebelling against the parents and the horror of getting your first period. Catherine Called Birdy could well be this generation’s answer to Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging and I imagine teenage girls will really connect with this.
But you don’t have to be a teenager to enjoy this film. I thought it was delightful and utterly charming throughout. Dunham, who wrote the script based on Karen Cushman‘s book of the same name, has great control of the cheeky, light-hearted tone and her dialogue is hilarious. I particularly loved Ramsey’s witty, diary-style narration.
The film wouldn’t be as good as it is without Ramsey, who has buckets of personality. She is so much fun; constantly outsmarting her parents, fuming about something to her doting nurse Morwenna (Lesley Sharp) and is mischievous and rebellious. Scott also delivers the laughs as the vain and greedy father who doesn’t seem to care much for his daughter.
They are surrounded by a recognisable ensemble cast including Billie Piper as Birdy’s compassionate mother Lady Aislinn, Joe Alwyn as her attractive Uncle George, Sophie Okonedo as his fabulous and fiercely independent love interest Ethelfritha and Paul Kaye as Birdy’s most vile and disgusting suitor, Shaggy Beard.
If that wasn’t enough to convince you to check this out – Dunham also has a brilliant band covering songs such as Connection by Elastica and Honey to the Bee by none other than Piper on the soundtrack. Excellent song selection.
I probably would have watched Catherine Called Birdy on repeat if I was a teenage girl but it’s still a lot of fun as a “grown-up”.
In selected cinemas from Friday 23rd September and Amazon Prime Video from Friday 7th October