Lena Dunham: "Catherine Called Birdy"

Marc and I really liked "Catherine Called Birdy," which feels a bit like "Girls" for the Middle Ages.

Young Catherine must marry to save her family's fortune. Around her, disastrous pairings are occurring. Her close friend has been promised to a nine-year-old boy, who has a little doll. ("The head is a turnip.") Catherine's dreamy uncle must commit himself to a much older spouse; the uncle has an actual love of his own, but financial needs create a demand for compromise. Catherine herself might end up with a man who likes oinking, as if he were a pig; he also seems not to mind rubbing poop on his arms. (He reminds me of Adam Driver, in "Girls"; Catherine seems like she is Hannah Horvath during the big "poop" scene.)

Catherine is restless and acting up, so her brother, a monk, asks that she begin to keep a diary. It's this little assignment that begins to wake her up; she takes notice of the people around her, the aspects of her world that are unsatisfactory, the things that are strange and beautiful, even in a sea of absurdity and unhappiness.

I can see why this story would resonate with Dunham -- and I laughed out loud and found that I couldn't predict several twists. I was also excited to see Andrew Scott in a leading role; I hope he will get more to do in the next several years.

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