The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Film›Lady Bird
Entertainment • Film

Lady Bird

Lady Bird is a 2017 American coming-of-age comedy-drama film written and directed by Greta Gerwig in her solo directorial debut.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Lady Bird is a 2017 American coming-of-age comedy-drama film written and directed by Greta Gerwig in her solo directorial debut. It stars Saoirse Ronan as Christine "Lady Bird" McPherson, a high school senior in Sacramento, and centers on her turbulent relationship with her mother. The film premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on September 1, 2017, and was released theatrically in the United States on November 3, 2017.

Plot

The film follows Christine "Lady Bird" McPherson during her senior year of high school in Sacramento. She navigates family conflict, friendships, romance, and her desire to attend college on the East Coast, with her relationship with her mother being a central focus.

Production

Lady Bird is Greta Gerwig's solo directorial debut. She wrote and directed the film, which was produced by A24. Producers included Scott Rudin, Eli Bush, and Evelyn O'Neill.

Release

The film premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on September 1, 2017. It received a U.S. theatrical release on November 3, 2017.

Reception

The film was widely recognized as a major release for A24 and received significant awards attention, including mention among top films of 2017 in some industry lists.

Key facts

  • Greta Gerwig's solo directorial debut.
  • Follows Christine "Lady Bird" McPherson during her senior year in Sacramento.
  • Centers on her turbulent relationship with her mother.
  • Set in Sacramento in the early 2000s.
  • Premiered at Telluride Film Festival on September 1, 2017, and released in U.S. theatres on November 3, 2017.
🍁
Canadian context

Lady Bird screened internationally and was widely discussed in Canadian film coverage and distribution contexts, but it has no specific Canadian setting or subject matter in the sources provided.

Frequently asked questions

What is Lady Bird about?
It is about a Sacramento high school senior who calls herself Lady Bird and struggles with family, identity, and her desire to leave for college on the East Coast.
Who directed Lady Bird?
Greta Gerwig wrote and directed the film.
Who stars in Lady Bird?
The cast includes Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Tracy Letts, Lucas Hedges, Timothée Chalamet, Beanie Feldstein, Stephen McKinley Henderson, and Lois Smith.
When was Lady Bird released?
It premiered on September 1, 2017, at Telluride and was released in U.S. theatres on November 3, 2017.
Where is Lady Bird set?
The film is set in Sacramento, California, in the early 2000s.

References

  1. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4925292/
    Supports: Basic film identity, plot premise, and main character name.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Bird_(film)
    Supports: Director, cast, setting, release dates, and broad production details.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/lady_bird
    Supports: Synopsis, director, producer, distributor, runtime, genre, and release information.
  4. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Lady-Bird-2017-film
    Supports: Concise description of the film as a coming-of-age story focused on the title character and her mother.
  5. A24 — https://a24films.com/films/lady-bird
    Supports: Studio description, setting, central relationship, and writer-director credit.