Little Women tells the coming of age story of four sisters living in Massachusetts after the Civil War. The classic story, originally a book by Louisa May Alcott, has been remade five times before Greta Gerwig’s take on it. However, no other adaptation has been quite like Gerwig’s. The film stars Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, and Emma Watson as the March sisters. Laura Dern plays Marmee, the sisters’ caring mother, and Timothee Chalamet plays Laurie, the loveable next door neighbor. With a star-studded cast and beautiful cinematography, Little Women is sure to be a Christmas classic for the ages.
The novel Little Women is broken up into two parts, the early years and the adult years. The March sisters begin the story as teenagers navigating their youth and relationships with one another. The second part of the novel sees the March sisters in their late teens and early twenties preparing for life to begin. Gerwig puts her own spin on this and intertwines the two parts of the story. The film is filled with flashbacks and flashforwards that progress the story at a smooth and entertaining pace.
One of the best parts of Little Women is Florence Pugh’s portrayal of Amy March. Louisa May Alcott’s original portrayal of Amy has been met with negative reactions since the 1860s. Amy is, at her worst, hated, and at her best, tolerated. Readers have rarely been able to find a connection with Amy’s character. However, Gerwig’s brilliant screenplay and Pugh’s outstanding performance bring a new life to Amy March. She is funny and playful, smart and ambitious. Audiences find themselves rooting for Amy this time around. Pugh plays both ‘younger’ and ‘older’ Amy with an indescribable charm.
As awards season begins, audiences have been disappointed with Little Women’s lack of recognition. The film came out on Christmas Day 2019 and has received amazing reviews from both critics and audiences. Naturally, it was quite the surprise when Little Women failed to receive a ‘Best Picture’ nomination at the Golden Globes. This error seemed to be solved when the film was nominated for ‘Best Picture’ in the Oscar nomination announcements. However, fans were even more disappointed to find that Greta Gerwig failed to receive a ‘Best Director’ nomination. In fact, only five women have been nominated for ‘Best Director’ in the 92-year history of the Oscars. Despite these award snubs, Little Women is a wonderful film that has captivated audiences. Gerwig brings the story to life with her magical direction and heart-wrenching screenplay. Little Women is a must-see for any movie-goer this season.
