Catherine Called Birdy (film)
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film production and distribution |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Parent | Amazon |
| Website | www |
Catherine Called Birdy is a medieval comedy film released in 2022, both penned and directed by Lena Dunham. It adapts the 1994 novel authored by Karen Cushman. The lead role of Catherine, also known as Birdy, is portrayed by Bella Ramsey, with supporting performances from Billie Piper, Andrew Scott, Lesley Sharp, Joe Alwyn, and Sophie Okonedo.
The movie debuted at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival on September 12, 2022. It then had a limited run in theaters starting September 23, 2022, distributed by Amazon Studios, before becoming available for streaming on Prime Video beginning October 7, 2022.
Plot
Set in 13th-century Lincolnshire, England, the story follows fourteen-year-old Catherine, nicknamed Birdy, who belongs to a noble family facing financial strain. To improve their situation, her father, Lord Rollo, arranges a marriage for her with a wealthy suitor. However, Birdy resists maturing and the loss of her independence by deliberately discouraging potential husbands through eccentric conduct.
Birdy's mother endures several stillbirths but eventually becomes pregnant again amid familial conflicts. Birdy's close friend Aelis visits; complications arise when Birdy's uncle George returns from the crusades and weds a rich widow, causing heartbreak for both men.
Despite Birdy's attempts to fend him off, Sir Henry Murgaw—known as "Shaggy Beard"—continues his courtship. After Aelis is married and soon widowed, Birdy uses Shaggy Beard’s funds to support her brother Robert’s proposal to Aelis.
Birdy briefly flees to her Uncle George's home but ultimately decides to return to her family. Her mother delivers twins after a challenging labor. As Birdy prepares to wed Shaggy Beard, her father intervenes by challenging the suitor to a duel and subsequently cancels the engagement.
Throughout these events, which she records in her diary, Birdy remains determined to preserve her autonomy within the limits imposed on her. The film concludes with Birdy teasingly confronting another new suitor.
Cast
- Bella Ramsey as Lady Catherine / "Birdy"
- Billie Piper as Lady Aislinn, Catherine's mother
- Andrew Scott as Lord Rollo, Catherine's father
- Lesley Sharp as Morwenna, Catherine's nursemaid
- Joe Alwyn as George, Catherine's uncle and Lady Aislinn’s younger brother
- Sophie Okonedo as Ethelfritha Rose Splinter of Devon, a wealthy widow who marries George
- Paul Kaye as Sir John Henry Murgaw VIII / "Shaggy Beard"
- Dean-Charles Chapman as Robert, Catherine's 17-year-old older brother
- Isis Hainsworth as Aelis, Catherine's closest friend
- Archie Renaux as Edward the Monk, Catherine's 21-year-old elder brother
- Michael Woolfitt as Perkin, Catherine's goatherd companion
- David Bradley as Lord Gideon Sidebottom, Aelis' father
- Mimi M. Khayisa as Lady Berenice Sidebottom, Aelis' stepmother
- Rita Bernard-Shaw as Meg, Catherine's milkmaid friend
- Ralph Ineson as Golden Tiger, a peasant and driver
- Jamie Demetriou as Etienne, servant to Shaggy Beard
- Russell Brand as Suitor from Kent
- Jacob Avery as Fulk the Younger
- Angus Wright as Fulk the Elder
Production
In February 2021, it was revealed that Lena Dunham had both written the screenplay and would direct the cinematic adaptation of the children's novel Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman, a project she had long been passionate about. By March 2021, Billie Piper, Andrew Scott, and Bella Ramsey were officially announced as the principal cast members. Subsequently, on April 1, Joe Alwyn and Dean-Charles Chapman were added to the ensemble.
Filming commenced on March 30, 2021, in the vicinity of Stokesay Castle, located in Shropshire, England.
Bella Ramsey also made a creative contribution by composing "Birdy Song" specifically for the film; this piece was originally written at age ten as an expression of feelings of isolation.
Release
The movie had its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2022. It was given a limited release on September 23, 2022, through Amazon Studios, followed by availability for streaming on Prime Video beginning October 7, 2022.
Reception
On Rotten Tomatoes, 88% of 127 reviewers offered favorable critiques, with an average score of 7.2 out of 10. The critical consensus highlights that "Catherine Called Birdy brings a cherished novel vividly to screen and demonstrates how a well-crafted coming-of-age tale can remain engaging irrespective of its historical context." On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average rating of 74 out of 100 based on 34 critic reviews, signifying "generally favorable" feedback.
David Fear from Rolling Stone described the film as "an ideal blend of humor, irreverence, and indignation," praising Dunham's adaptation as "exuberantly entertaining yet incisive," while calling lead actress Ramsey "a casting marvel."
Adrian Horton of The Guardian awarded the film four stars out of five, remarking that although the middle portion "feels somewhat sluggish," Dunham's direction ensures that the central theme—embracing and uncovering one’s value despite historical constraints—remains both reassuring and playful.
External links
- Articles with short description
- 2020s English-language films
- 2020s coming-of-age comedy films
- 2020s historical comedy films
- Amazon MGM Studios films
- American historical comedy films
- British coming-of-age comedy films
- British historical comedy films
- Films based on American novels
- Films based on children's books
- Films directed by Lena Dunham
- Films produced by Eric Fellner
- Films produced by Tim Bevan
- Films scored by Carter Burwell
- Films set in 13th-century Plantagenet England
- Films shot in Shropshire
- Working Title Films films
- 2020s American films
- 2020s British films
- Films shot at Pinewood Studios
- Good Thing Going films
- English-language historical comedy films