Little Women is directed by Greta Gerwig and stars Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh and Timothée Chalamet.
Drama/History/Romance. Released 2019.
Little Women is the eighth adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's 1868 coming-of-age classic that follows four sisters (Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, Emma Watson and Eliza Scanlen) as they come of age in the aftermath of the Civil War.
It goes without saying that I would be excited to see this film. Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh and Timothée Chalamet are three of the most promising stars working today, Greta Gerwig is going to become a superstar director, Laura Dern is the best supporting actress in the business, and Meryl Streep is, well, Meryl Streep. All of these names combined with the fact that it is a coming-of-age adaptation of a literary classic results in a film that, if done right, could hit me right in the heart.
And, I can certainly assure you, that it has been done right. Greta Gerwig's Little Women has instantly become a timeless classic that I hope is shown to all future generations. It feels so modern and accessible yet still feels like a classic period piece. Being unfamiliar with the source material, it is difficult for me to say how faithful or unfaithful this adaptation is. However, if it's anything like this film, the 1868 novel is certainly on my list of books to read. Little Women is a beautiful whirlwind of love, loss and ambition, and it feels as though this 2019 version has simultaneously defined a generation and transcended generations; a powerful and timeless piece of cinema. It certainly hit me right in the heart.
Greta Gerwig has cemented herself as one of the greatest talents behind the camera. After two pretty-much-perfect films in the space of two years, I have already reserved my tickets for every other project she pursues for the rest of her career. If she can pack this much punch in 2 years, who knows what another 20 could bring? Her writing is very sharp but has all of the nuances that make it feel human and full of heart, much like her direction, and the world she establishes in a post-war America. I feel she, as a director, has followed a similar trajectory as Damien Chazelle, with Lady Bird being her Whiplash and Little Women being her La La Land... two films also released within the space of two years. I cannot wait to see her portfolio grow. She executes the tone with perfection. Little Women is timeless yet a film that feels so important for this time. I want to emphasise that Little Women is for everyone. It explores universal themes, and regardless of the title, it is not primarily about women. It follows women as the protagonists and naturally addresses the obstacles someone like Jo must learn to overcome because of the fact that she is a woman, but the story is so accessible and universal and I encourage everyone to go and see it.
Saoirse Ronan as Jo March is arguably her best performance (Her role as Lady Bird was and is so magnificent so I am reluctant to say it is absolutely her best). She further proves that she is one of the great actresses of our time, and I've no doubt she will continue to do so. I feel that after this film, something has shifted for the better and she will be one of the leading faces of the 2020s. I think it's time she got a large franchise role, because unlike some of her contemporaries such as Margot Robbie, she is not a household name. Her performance in this film is perfect. She is thrilling to watch and from what I've seen of the other versions, she seems to be delivering the most nuanced and sensitive portrayal of Jo March. Greta Gerwig and Saoirse Ronan are slowly but surely becoming one of the great actor-director pairings.
... And Timothée Chalamet again offers a great assist, his performance as Laurie exceeding his role in Lady Bird. It's not a particularly demanding role, but it does feel like a character he was born to play, and maybe that is why. He is effortless in this role and hits all the right points. In just two years, he's starred as a young man discovering himself, a teenage drug addict, a king, and now, the original literary heartthrob. Bring on Denis Villeneuve's DUNE! And also, bring on Marvel's BLACK WIDOW, starring Scarlett Johansson and the best component of Little Women, Florence Pugh. She is going to blow up and be one of the biggest stars of the next era of cinema, and I have no doubts about that. She is the Jennifer Lawrence of the 2020s and it hasn't even begun. Her performance as Amy is just as scene-stealing as Lawrence in American Hustle and it is my favourite supporting performance by an actress of the year. I have learnt that Amy - in the source material and other adaptations - has no redeemable qualities and is just an envious, nasty younger sister. Through Gerwig's writing and Pugh's thoroughly entertaining performance, Amy March is a far more layered and complex character - my favourite character in the film. Every moment she is on screen is gold. Emma Watson does a fine job - her american accent has never been on point in the past so I was expecting her to actually be bad, but I did enjoy the time she was on screen. She works best when she's interacting with the other sisters. After Sharp Objects and now Little Women, Eliza Scanlen is a promising new talent, and Laura Dern completes her amazing year with a touching and affectionate portrayal of Marmie. Meryl Streep is thoroughly entertaining... she's Meryl Streep.
As a whole, Little Women is undoubtedly one of the very best films of the year, thanks to the most well-used, talented ensemble of the year, stunning costume and production design, a sweeping, beautiful score from Alexandre Desplat, a charming and powerful script, and an exciting sophomore directorial effort from rising auteur Greta Gerwig. She is going to be one of the greats, and this film deserves to be regarded as a timeless classic for the ages.
A MESSAGE FOR THE ACADEMY: Please, don't be like the Screen Actors Guild or the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Give the director and actors the accolades they deserve. Gerwig, Ronan and Pugh all deserve nominations.
And, I can certainly assure you, that it has been done right. Greta Gerwig's Little Women has instantly become a timeless classic that I hope is shown to all future generations. It feels so modern and accessible yet still feels like a classic period piece. Being unfamiliar with the source material, it is difficult for me to say how faithful or unfaithful this adaptation is. However, if it's anything like this film, the 1868 novel is certainly on my list of books to read. Little Women is a beautiful whirlwind of love, loss and ambition, and it feels as though this 2019 version has simultaneously defined a generation and transcended generations; a powerful and timeless piece of cinema. It certainly hit me right in the heart.
Greta Gerwig has cemented herself as one of the greatest talents behind the camera. After two pretty-much-perfect films in the space of two years, I have already reserved my tickets for every other project she pursues for the rest of her career. If she can pack this much punch in 2 years, who knows what another 20 could bring? Her writing is very sharp but has all of the nuances that make it feel human and full of heart, much like her direction, and the world she establishes in a post-war America. I feel she, as a director, has followed a similar trajectory as Damien Chazelle, with Lady Bird being her Whiplash and Little Women being her La La Land... two films also released within the space of two years. I cannot wait to see her portfolio grow. She executes the tone with perfection. Little Women is timeless yet a film that feels so important for this time. I want to emphasise that Little Women is for everyone. It explores universal themes, and regardless of the title, it is not primarily about women. It follows women as the protagonists and naturally addresses the obstacles someone like Jo must learn to overcome because of the fact that she is a woman, but the story is so accessible and universal and I encourage everyone to go and see it.
Saoirse Ronan as Jo March is arguably her best performance (Her role as Lady Bird was and is so magnificent so I am reluctant to say it is absolutely her best). She further proves that she is one of the great actresses of our time, and I've no doubt she will continue to do so. I feel that after this film, something has shifted for the better and she will be one of the leading faces of the 2020s. I think it's time she got a large franchise role, because unlike some of her contemporaries such as Margot Robbie, she is not a household name. Her performance in this film is perfect. She is thrilling to watch and from what I've seen of the other versions, she seems to be delivering the most nuanced and sensitive portrayal of Jo March. Greta Gerwig and Saoirse Ronan are slowly but surely becoming one of the great actor-director pairings.
... And Timothée Chalamet again offers a great assist, his performance as Laurie exceeding his role in Lady Bird. It's not a particularly demanding role, but it does feel like a character he was born to play, and maybe that is why. He is effortless in this role and hits all the right points. In just two years, he's starred as a young man discovering himself, a teenage drug addict, a king, and now, the original literary heartthrob. Bring on Denis Villeneuve's DUNE! And also, bring on Marvel's BLACK WIDOW, starring Scarlett Johansson and the best component of Little Women, Florence Pugh. She is going to blow up and be one of the biggest stars of the next era of cinema, and I have no doubts about that. She is the Jennifer Lawrence of the 2020s and it hasn't even begun. Her performance as Amy is just as scene-stealing as Lawrence in American Hustle and it is my favourite supporting performance by an actress of the year. I have learnt that Amy - in the source material and other adaptations - has no redeemable qualities and is just an envious, nasty younger sister. Through Gerwig's writing and Pugh's thoroughly entertaining performance, Amy March is a far more layered and complex character - my favourite character in the film. Every moment she is on screen is gold. Emma Watson does a fine job - her american accent has never been on point in the past so I was expecting her to actually be bad, but I did enjoy the time she was on screen. She works best when she's interacting with the other sisters. After Sharp Objects and now Little Women, Eliza Scanlen is a promising new talent, and Laura Dern completes her amazing year with a touching and affectionate portrayal of Marmie. Meryl Streep is thoroughly entertaining... she's Meryl Streep.
As a whole, Little Women is undoubtedly one of the very best films of the year, thanks to the most well-used, talented ensemble of the year, stunning costume and production design, a sweeping, beautiful score from Alexandre Desplat, a charming and powerful script, and an exciting sophomore directorial effort from rising auteur Greta Gerwig. She is going to be one of the greats, and this film deserves to be regarded as a timeless classic for the ages.
A+
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