But, if you’re ready to commit to her new movie within the opening half hour, you’ll find the talented director and writer a perfect fit for Karen Cushman’s 1994 comic novel.
Game Of Thrones star Bella Ramsay is the volatile title heroine who must negotiate the perils of womanhood in 13th century Lincolnshire.
For the first 14 years of her life, she was largely ignored by her frail father (Andrew Scott) and constantly pregnant mother (Billy Piper). Now all eyes on Stonebridge Manor suddenly find her.
To her horror, Byrdie just experienced her first monthly ordeal that her nurse (Leslie Sharpe) calls the Lady in Red (Chris de Berg wouldn’t be happy). With her aristocratic parents facing financial ruin, it means she’s ready to sell her into the bondage of a medieval marriage.
As Byrdie hatches witty, witty childish schemes to turn away suitors, laughs begin to pile up, and Dunham’s take on Cosham’s novel has a disregard for Blackadder’s feminism.
The soundtrack, which features covers of Supergrass’s Alright and Billie Piper’s Honey To The Bee, can bode well but the casting is flawless.
Paul Kaye is horribly funny as a fluffy, ramshackle mogul, and Scott doubles down on his transformation from comedic villain to big-hearted hero to perfectionist.
Catherine Called Birdy is streaming on Amazon Prime Video now (Certificate 12).
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