Little Women: Movie Review
Warning: The following review features major spoilers, but it’s a story that’s been out for 150 years, so I feel like this is fair.
Image via.
2019 was a year of great cinema, and one of its most standout films was Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of Little Women.
This latest adaptation features a stellar cast, starring Saoirse Ronan as tomboyish and rebellious writer Jo, Emma Watson as responsible oldest sister Meg, Florence Pugh as ambitious and artistic youngest sister Amy, Eliza Scanlen as sweet and musically-inclined Beth, Timothée Chalamet as boy next door Laurie, Laura Dern as loving matriarch Marmee, and Meryl Streep as condescendingly wealthy Aunt March.
Each of the main cast, as well as the supporting actors, all step into their roles with grace, effectively bringing to life some of the most beloved characters of all time. I’ve always admired Laura Dern and Meryl Streep’s acting, so naturally, I loved their performances, and Saoirse Ronan shines as the protagonist of the story. However, the standout performance of the movie is definitely Florence Pugh as Amy. Throughout the course of 2 hours and 15 minutes, she grows from a bratty, self-absorbed child into an elegant and thoughtful young woman. It is a testament to Pugh’s talent that the historically least popular character from the story has quickly become one of the most adored following the release of the film.
Image via.
There’s an idyllic charm in each of the film’s beautiful scenes, from the March sisters wearing pastel-colored dresses to go to the beach, to Laurie confessing his love for Jo against a backdrop of gorgeous New England foliage, to Amy painting in a Parisian park.
The March family by no means live an easy life: there are many references to the family’s financial hardship, their father is off at war, and Beth dies from scarlet fever. However, throughout its depiction of these hardships, the film continues to maintain its romanticized tone. The picturesque quality does not undermine the suffering of the characters but rather presents that life can still be beautiful in these circumstances if we work to romanticize it. The characters of the film, particularly the March sisters, spend a great deal of time using their vivid imaginations and artistic talents to cope. Meg pushes herself into acting, Jo writes stories of adventure as well as plays for her sisters to perform in, Beth relishes in her love for the piano, and Amy turns to her adoration for painting.
Image via.
The film is generally a faithful adaptation of the novel but is more explicit in its social commentary. Both Jo and Amy deliver powerful monologues regarding the role of marriage in women’s lives. Amy is particularly concerned about marriage as an economic institution for women, who had few other options to achieve financial freedom. Jo is disheartened by the fact that women are merely limited to their role of wives, maintaining that women have so much more to offer. The film also does an excellent job at blurring the line between Jo March and Louisa May Alcott in a way that has never been done before in other adaptations.
Little Women is definitely a must-see film that is visually stunning, thoughtful, and full of phenomenal performances. Make sure to catch it while it’s still in theaters!
Cover image via.
