Catherine Called Birdy

Catherine Called Birdy

A teenage girl in Medieval England navigates life and tries to avoid the arranged marriages her father maps out for her.

  • Released: 2022-09-23
  • Runtime: 108 minutes
  • Genre: Adventure, Comedy
  • Stars: Bella Ramsey, Billie Piper, Andrew Scott, Lesley Sharp, Joe Alwyn, Sophie Okonedo, Paul Kaye, Dean-Charles Chapman, Isis Hainsworth, Archie Renaux, Michael Woolfitt, David Bradley, Mimi Ndiweni, Ralph Ineson, Rita Bernard-Shaw, Jake Middleton Cooke, Adam Aziz, Saskia Chana, Jamie Demetriou, Akemnji Ndifornyen, Russell Brand, Christophe Tek, Angus Wright, Jacob Avery, Douggie McMeekin, Lawrence Hodgson-Mullings, Bola Latunji, Jessica Ellis, Jordan Adene, Tyler Howitt, Jeffery Kissoon, Moya Brady, Ramesh Nair, Antony Bunsee, Tim Bevan, Colin Murtagh, Volenté Lloyd, Trevor Jones, Chris Ecob
  • Director: Lena Dunham
 Comments
  • HypnoticPoison7 - 30 March 2023
    Just go watch Ever After
    Lena Dunham is at it again. I should have known what to expect from her, and she did what she usually does. If you're looking for something trite, meaningless, vapid, annoying, and at times confusing...look no further. It's not at all historically accurate, though I suppose that's an issue most period pieces (especially ones made by women) suffer from. Rewriting history might seem fun and cool and alluring to a younger audience that doesn't know any better, but that doesn't make it any less wrong. Bella Ramsey is not only painful to look at, she's painful to listen to and her character is irritating and tiresome. This movie doesn't know what it is or what it wants to be, and in it's attempt to be progressive and feministic, it actually is just insulting. The only good part was realizing Billie Piper was in it...yes, Billie Piper, the 90's one hit wonder ("She Wants You"). While she's supposed to be a likeable female lead, she has no personality and hardly any dialogue, and her husband somehow manages to surpass her in that regard. Honestly if you're looking for a period piece with humor, intelligent writing, meaning, top quality character development (though lacking in accuracy as well), just go watch Ever After. It's much funnier, smarter, and more feministic than this movie could ever be, and I'm quite sure Lena Dunham straight up copied things from that movie to make this one, so you may as well start with that.
  • mainstreet-62539 - 9 February 2023
    Some Fun & Laughs But Maybe Trying Too Hard
    Yes indeed, I really respect the effort made by Ms. Dunham. I like how her main character had such a free and independent spirit. The film made a lot of good points about freedom and liberation.

    The problems are numerous however as a feature length film; including costuming, hair and makeup, accents, vocal score. If Ms. Dunham felt or thought that was all "camp" and just be in on the laugh, then it should have been funnier and not tried so hard than to make so much social commentary. Perhaps a short or 30 minute film would have worked much better where the narrative is clear and focused and funnier.
  • play-143-985750 - 7 December 2022
    Just so much fun
    We just laughed and laughed. And we loved the ruses Birdy pulled to get out of marrying those oh so dumb men. This film is just full of a huge love of life.

    A real joy. In an age when films (even comedies) often follow such standard formulas this film is a true original.

    And it's so good that the heroine isn't there because of her beauty. Just just a bright, vivacious 14 year old girl who doesn't want to be sold off into a life of wifehood when men were the bosses (often they still are) and women were possessions.

    I am definitely going to watch Catherine Called Birdy again and probably again and again.

    And just in case you are wondering, it's a fun watch for men too. I should know.
  • Ingalilla - 24 October 2022
    Silly, fun movie
    It's been a long time since my teen girl years but I really liked this movie- it's not supposed to be a serious period drama but many people seem to take offense cause they might be expecting a more serious movie. For me I loved the silly characters mixed in with the historical parts of the movie. Acting was top notch and I didn't find Birdy unlikeable at all, I think her character was great- rebellious, curious and just a normal teen in a world that's not always fair.

    I think the movie's 13+ rating is a bit harsh, nothing too shocking in the movie for younger kids. My 10 year old had some giggles that's for sure, and questions about the same issues as Birdy has in the movie so a great discussion starter as well!
  • ashfordofficial - 19 October 2022
    Loved it
    1. Brilliant direction and writing from Lena Dunham and wonderful performances from the entire cast. Bella Ramsey was outstanding and she delivered a flawless and natural performance.

    A funny, joyous, sad, relatable and wholesome movie with so much heart and warmth.

    2. Brilliant direction and writing from Lena Dunham and wonderful performances from the entire cast. Bella Ramsey was outstanding and she delivered a flawless and natural performance.

    A funny, joyous, sad, relatable and wholesome movie with so much heart and warmth.

    3. Brilliant direction and writing from Lena Dunham and wonderful performances from the entire cast. Bella Ramsey was outstanding and she delivered a flawless and natural performance.

    A funny, joyous, sad, relatable and wholesome movie with so much heart and warmth.