Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women is widely considered to be one of the most beloved coming of age stories of all time. The classic story follows the March sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy during the Civil War as they struggle to get by while their father is away. It’s been adapted many times to various stage, film, television, and musical productions. Newest to this family of adaptations is Greta Gerwig’s film starring Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, Emma Watson, and Eliza Scanlen as Jo, Amy, Meg, and Beth March. It is difficult to fully say how unique and pivotal this story is, and how much it is a tribute to women in particular as a female driven story. Little Women details life, loss, and love as it chronicles a bittersweet journey of growing up. Gerwig’s writing and directing, as well as the stellar performance of the cast, captures this spirit with a steadfast and dutiful hand.
The first, most obvious credit that can be given to Little Women is that of its actors. In particular, Saoirse Ronan and Florence Pugh have an undeniable chemistry that shines in their characters’ rivalry. Ronan delivers a headstrong, loyal Jo, while Pugh counters with the sillier, naive Amy. Throughout its development, their relationship on screen is easily one of the highlights of the film. It truly feels as if the characters of Jo and Amy were made for Ronan and Pugh, for the connection they make with each other and audience creates a stunningly real atmosphere of love, humor, and jealousy. In addition to the four sisters, Timothée Chalamet, Laura Dern, and Meryl Streep make appearances in a supporting capacity as Laurie, the March sister’s handsome neighbor, Marmee, the March family matriarch, and Aunt March, the girls’ cranky, rich aunt. It’s an understatement to say the cast of Little Women is bursting with talent. Each of the characters, main or supporting, is given a well rounded persona by their respective actor.
Gerwig chooses an interesting strategy to tell the March sisters’ story; instead of a linear story, she opts for switching back and forth between the girls’ childhood and the girls’ inevitable adult lives. Though it takes time to become accustomed to this, you come to realize that Gerwig intends to draw parallels between the past and the future. Memory is juxtaposed with experience, childhood is juxtaposed with womanhood, and yet sisters remain sisters. The issues of class and gender are a constant undertone that is expertly handled by Gerwig’s deft honesty. Gerwig demands the audience’s full attention, but doesn’t bash into our heads any self conscious, critical story motifs. They are laid out, plain for us to see and feel, in the girls’ coming of age. The indescribable depth of the sisters’ characters is shown by the wide variety of trials and triumphs they experience, whether it be heavy or trivial.
Gerwig’s film is a brilliant take on a classic story that properly captures the hope, heart, and steadfastness of the original tale. Though this story takes place over a hundred and fifty years ago, the lessons of the story remain as relevant as ever. No matter what decade it is, the bittersweet journey of becoming a growing up is unavoidable, and despite love, class, loss, or gender, it is still a journey best experienced alongside people you love.
5/5 STARS