The casting of Bella Ramsey, who is best known for her scene-stealing turn as the self-possessed Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones, is genius because she brings that firecracker energy to a role that demands nothing less.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Oct 14, 2022

Catherine Called Birdy establishes Dunham as a continued creative force...

| Oct 11, 2022

Lena Dunham brings her unique style and approach to a period piece in "Catherine Called Birdy." and she comes away with an affecting coming-of-age story.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Oct 7, 2022

Dunham keeps the didacticism light until it’s time to sharpen her spear; it matters that it’s a movie with few villains except the society in which the characters live and those most invested in upholding it.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Oct 7, 2022

... [A] quite marvelous medieval comedy worthy of both its beloved source material and sure-to-be-repeat viewing.

| Original Score: A- | Oct 7, 2022

Lena Dunham’s directorial romp through medieval England’s child-marriage scene is largely a winner, thanks in large part to a rambunctious performance from young Bella Ramsey in the title role.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Oct 6, 2022

Free-wheeling as the movie seems, there’s a careful control at work, a restraint that prevents Catherine Called Birdy from teetering into the noxiously ironic. There’s a deep affection -- a humanism, really -- at the heart of the film.

| Oct 6, 2022

... Feels fresh, contemporary and effortlessly cool, with hip cover versions of pop songs and costumes that channel boho-boutique chic.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Sep 28, 2022

[Bella] Ramsey is a dynamo and simply powers the movie along.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 26, 2022

If anything, the melding of broad, bawdy humor and outrage, of gutbusting and throat-clearing, complements each other beautifully.

| Sep 26, 2022

This medieval coming-of-age comedy, written and directed by Lena Dunham, is packed with piquant details, ruddy humor, and joy in performance.

| Sep 26, 2022

A teen comedy with a refreshingly forthright approach to everything from puberty to the status of 13th-century women as chattels to be bartered.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Sep 25, 2022

I was very aware while watching that as a 51-year-old man I was not who this was made for. But is it a good message to send young girls that they can be bad and do what they want for a little while but when the rubber hits the road they must toe the line?

| Sep 24, 2022

It lures you in with comedy, wit and irreverence and before you know it, you’re reaching for the tissues and wondering when you came to care so much about the father-daughter relationship.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Sep 23, 2022

Superbly cast period dramedy with charm to spare.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Sep 23, 2022

Sidestep the somewhat over-egged stylistic touches and you’ll find a fun coming-of-age tale boasting three irresistible performances from Bella Ramsey, Billie Piper and Andrew Scott.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 23, 2022

Catherine Called Birdy serves as an excellent introduction to pre-modern England, and before you know it your kids might be asking about The Adventures of Robin Hood or The Lion in Winter.

| Sep 23, 2022

The humor and pop songs keep the more dire aspects of the story from distracting us when what she wants us to see is Birdy’s resilience and open-heartedness.

| Original Score: B+ | Sep 22, 2022

It shows the strength of her [Dunham's] voice transcends story, setting and time period. And... that across all eras, some feelings are universal, and even medieval times can smell like teen spirit.

| Original Score: B | Sep 22, 2022

[Lena Dunham]'s back and armed to the teeth with millennial ennui, her usual trademarks retooled only to suit her tween audience. The honesty is there. The acerbic wit. The semi-intentional obliviousness that’s made her such a polarising figure.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 22, 2022