"Little Women" (2019) Review

Gerwig delivers a timely adaptation of the literary classic.

Directed by: Greta Gerwig

Rated: PG

Runtime: 2:15

Review by: Livi Edmonson

From the director of “Lady Bird” (2017), this year’s film adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s iconic novel is simply the best there is --- both as an adaptation of the book and as a film. “Little Women” is a story that has been known by millions of people around the world for over 100 years now, yet director and screenwriter, Greta Gerwig, still finds a way for the story to resonate with audiences in 2019. With its wildly ambitious characters and modern feminist take on society, “Little Women” is the film that today’s society need today now more than ever. 

For those very few who are unaware of the classic narrative, the story is about the lives of four sisters --- Jo (Academy award-nominated Saoirse Ronan), Amy (Florence Pugh), Meg (Emma Watson), and Beth (Eliza Scanlen) --- as they come of age in post-Civil War Concord. Although the sisters are stuck together like glue, rebellious and spunky Jo manages to allow a new, handsome and wealthy neighbor, Laurie (Academy-award nominated Timothèe Chalamet), into their inner circle, resulting in years of friendship, fun, mischief, sadness, and even heartbreak.

As noted by the names above, “Little Women” is anything but short of a splendid cast. Veterans to Greta Gerwig’s “Lady Bird,” Saoirse Ronan and Timothèe Chalamet are back, with naturally even more irresistible chemistry than the 2017 dramedy.  Breakout actresses of the year, Florence Pugh and Eliza Scanlen, give absolutely wonderful performances as the youngest of the sisters, especially that of Pugh, who is even nominated in a couple of weeks for a 2020 Critics’ Choice Award for “Best Supporting Actor.” There are other small, yet still entertaining performances, such as that of Meryl Streep as grouchy yet sassy Aunt March, and Laura Dern as the lovable Marmee March, who shelters the girls with extra love due to the current absence of their war-fighting father. 

Although the narrative remained pretty much the same as it was in both the novel and in other film adaptations, I would like to think that Gerwig did a great job at pulling out some of the hidden treasures in the book that were often not thought about twice or even highlighted at all in the other films. Not that economics was never a common theme in other adaptations, but in this particular film, wealth is the topic of nearly every conversation, giving audiences an even more contemporary look into a story we all thought that we knew word for word. 

As mentioned earlier, the topic of both feminism and femininity are also extremely important to this film. Jo March has always been an early feminist literary character, but her ambitious presence is what is finally reverberating with audiences here in 2019. She is the heroine that girls deserve to see on the big screen, which is what keeps this modern story of the modern woman so timely years and years later. 

All in all, “Little Women” is a beautiful period piece that manages to still spark interest a century later with its relatable characters that audiences feel as if they know. The drama is a rollercoaster of emotions but hey, so is growing up. What else would we expect? The casting is easily some of the best I have seen in a very long time and not to mention that this film is nominated for 9 Critics’ Choice Awards, among other nominations and Oscar bait rumors. 

Although the film is receiving the majority of the praise it deserves, I think that if the film had not been made after so many other adaptations of the book that this film would be all anyone was talking about right now. I would love for this film to receive a “Best Picture” nod as well as a few other nods in the acting and directing category at this year’s Oscars, but because it is competing against so many other terrific, fresh films, the Academy might not have enough room for these little women in their hearts --- but I sure hope they do. If you’re a female or a fan of the novel and are looking for a wonderful film to see this holiday season, I highly suggest seeing “Little Women” because it is not only the perfect retelling of a poignant, ageless tale, but also the type of film that we need to see right now in order to fill our hearts with kindness, joy, and ambition. I give it a triumphant 10/10.