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LITTLE WOMEN (2019)
Little Women poster

CAST
SAOIRSE RONAN
TIMOTHEE CHALAMET
CHRIS COOPER
LAURA DERN
LOUIS GARREL
TRACY LETTS
JAMES NORTON
BOB ODENKIRK
FLORENCE PUGH
ELIZA SCANLEN
MERYL STREEP
EMMA WATSON

BASED ON THE NOVEL BY
LOUISA MAY ALCOTT

SCREENPLAY BY
GRETA GERWIG

PRODUCED BY
DENISE DI NOVI
AMY PASCAL
ROBIN SWICORD

DIRECTED BY
GRETA GERWIG

GENRE
DRAMA
ROMANCE

RATED
AUS:G
UK:U
USA:PG

RUNNING TIME
135 MIN

 

 

Little Women image

Gorgeously made and wonderfully performed, Little Women is an emotionally rich ode to family, aspiration, and hard work, along with the rich lessons in love and life that can be found in all three facets.

There are a few things certain in life: death, taxes, and film adaptations of Little Women. So far, Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel has been adapted eight times for the big screen, all to varied degrees of success. This 2019 version, adapted and directed by Greta Gerwig (Ladybird) could perhaps be the best yet. Brimming with emotion, beautifully crafted, and impeccably performed, Little Women proves how a classic tale can indeed be timeless when placed in the right creative hands, with Gerwig presenting a story that spruiks values both conservative and progressive.

Set in 1868, Massachusetts, Little Women follows the lives of the March sisters: headstrong Jo (Saoirse Ronan), compliant Meg (Emma Watson), shy Beth (Eliza Scanlen), and artistic Amy (Florence Pugh). As their father (Bob Odenkirk) fights for the Union Army during the Civil War, the March sisters assist the efforts of their kind hearted, charitable mother (Laura Dern), while they deal with their own issues surrounding love and work, and the need to secure a financially viable future for their family.

Gerwig presents a film rich in presentation and values. Not once during the 135-minute Little Women is a false note hit in the depiction of this family filled with women of different needs and aspirations, yet of a deep love and commitment to one another. Although there is many a foible to be found in the character of these characters, so to is warmth and good found in this band of sisters who face the hardship of 18th century attitudes towards class and gender with strength, patience, and the wisdom of their matriarch.

Lessons are learned from good deeds and bad mistakes. Forgiveness is given and accepted. To call Little Women a “feelgood movie” is accurate, yet it achieves being so without crass manipulation. There is an inherent good from this story and characters that Gerwig successfully taps into and allows to flourish.

Performances are excellent all around. Ronan gives the right amount of spunk and fire to a character whose intelligence and aspirations are constantly challenged by the restrictions of her time period. With the current cinema landscape filled with heroines that are defined more by how they kick, punch, and look good in skimpy superhero outfits, it is refreshing to see a female character break barriers, rather than heads, through her intellect and will.

Fellow Ladybird co-star Timothee Chalamet also delivers a spunk-filled performance, equal parts dashing and cheeky, as rich neighbour Laurie who falls head over heels for Jo. The standout, though, is Florence Pugh, who brings new energy and sympathy to the usually derided Amy March. The burgeoning British actor has been on a role of late, and her turn as Amy is one of her best yet, providing different shades to the “snobby” Amy, who in Pugh’s hands is filled with much warmth and sensitivity.

The craftwork in Little Women is impeccable. Cinematographer Yorick Le Saux (Only Lovers Left Alive) captures every location and season to create wonderful vibrant imagery; the score by Alexandre Desplat (The Grand Budapest Hotel) swoons with every note; and the costume design by Jacqueline Durran (Atonement) and production design from Jess Conchor (True Grit) brings this period of American history to life with impeccable detail.

Combined with Gerwig’s expert touch on character and story, Little Women is a period piece to fall in love with, filled with a generous and charming spirit.

 

****

 

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