Little Women

In 1860’s America, the four March sisters, Jo the writer, Amy the painter, Beth the pianist, and Meg the actress are trying to find a place in the world while taking care for their mother, Marmee and those around them while their father is fighting in the war. While their mother encourages their independence, their Aunt March is pressuring them to marry for the sake of security. When the dashing grandson of the family’s benefactor comes swooping in, their ambitions become more at risk.

Louisa May Alcott's coming of age tale has been adapted many times since its publication in 1868, with the most recent film released literally one year before this review. Greta Gerwig, who made her big directorial debut in 2017 with, about a teenage girl trying to make a name for herself and butting heads with her mother, was the perfect choice to give this story new life.

The most striking thing about Little Women is that while a movie based on a feminist tomb would go for more of a “woke” and “modern” take, its most groundbreaking aspect is that it gives audiences what they want from the story: love, both between the sisters, and them and the suitors who either praise or criticize their work. While the girls may feel pressured to marry out of necessity and wealth, as was the norm back then, it doesn’t prevent them from also seeing the wonder and joy that commitment could bring to their lives, or find other ways to find meaning beyond their talents when tragedy strikes. Traditionalists may say that romance should be a woman’s objective. Progressives may say it’s making a difference in the world and destroying the status quo. Gerwig says that both shouldn’t be too much to ask.

The sweep and passion of this film are cemented by the incredible performances by Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, Emma Watson, and Eliza Scanlon as the sisters, whose love for each other is apparent thanks to their commitment. Timothée Chalamet is solid as the lovesick Laurie, and seasoned greats like Laura Dern, Meryl Streep, and Chris Cooper bring the wisdom needed to give these teenagers more grounded ideas of what to expect from the world.

Little Women is a compassionate, lyrical film that gives all the class, wit, and charm you expect from a costume drama while having a heart of its own. I saw it in a full cinema full of girls and women of all ages who were swept by it. See it for yourself so you c