Catherine Called Birdy is a coming-of-age comedy set in medieval England. Birdy(Bella Ramsey) is reaching the age of maturity and due to her father Lord Rollo's(Andrew Scott) financial needs is up to be married off to a wealthy old man which she does everything she can to prevent.
Ramsey is wonderful, infectious, funny, caustic, she fills up the screen and shoulders the movie with assurance. It's great to see her get this much acting breathing room and if there were doubts after her star turn in GoT this puts any remaining to rest. The supporting cast are all really talented and put in engaging performances but the script doesn't have much room for anyone other than the titular hero. Scott puts in a valiant effort but can't pull off the relatively unbelievable third act turn. Billie Piper, Lesley Sharp, the incredible Sophie Okonedo, Mimi Khayisa- all great talents- are not given enough to do.
Beautiful on location shooting and excellent costume make the movie great to look at but the modern soundtrack is not as successful and only highlights the overall tonal confusion. The movie juxtaposes some pretty broad comedy against some pretty stark realities, it investigates some real gender struggles but totally ignores those of class(the serfs are depicted as extremely content and adoring of their lords and ladys). There is some indicating towards the realities of life, the impossibility of happily-ever-after endings, but then the movie delivers one. It's incongruous.
A breezy, overly simple, feel-good movie suitable for a YA audience but perhaps not a general one.
Currently streaming on Amazon.
Don't See It.
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