21

TUESDAY

Filmgoers who saw Ken Loach’s My Name Is Joe earlier this year will recognize his 1994 Ladybird Ladybird as a precursor. Each film follows a down-and-out Briton who battles both social-service agencies and self-destructive instincts. Ladybird is a much rougher ride, though—which explains why it got such a limited release. Both critics and audiences found it hard to accept hard-drinking, karaoke-loving protagonist Maggie (Crissy Rock), who is reckless not only with her own life, but with those of her four children as well. Viewers who can abide a social-problem drama that offers no satisfactory solutions, however, will want to see this raw, vivid film, if only for Rock’s fierce performance. At 7 p.m. at the Library of Congress’ Pickford Theater, 1st and Independence Avenue SE. Free. For reservations call (202) 707-5677. (Mark Jenkins)