Movie Review: Little Women 2019 directed by Greta Gerwig

Greta Gerwig, director of this wonderful classic by Louisa May Alcott, seemed intimately familiar with this beautiful story. Faithful to Little Women for many years, I first read this story in my teens. Since then I’ve read it several times and enjoyed the story and characters each time. 

I’ll confess: Jo March, the impassioned writer with ink stained hands in the little garret, was always my favourite character. A tomboy who confronted life with energy and not a little frustration when life for a woman of that period just did not suit. Greta Gerwig, writing and directing this film, seemed to have plucked out all the most important parts of the story, weaving them with skill into the heart of Louisa May Alcott's novel. Jo (Saorise Ronan) writing and trying to have her ‘scribbles’ published in a man’s world. Meg March (Emma Watson) marrying her love Mr. Brooks on a summer’s day. Amy March (Florence Pugh) trying her hand at being a great artist when she went to Paris as companion to Aunt March (Meryl Streep). Amy, the gentle youngest sister, playing piano and just being good. Most of all it was the family bonds between sisters ~ not without rivalry ~  held together by Marmee (Laura Dern) while her husband (Bob Odenkirk) was away fighting in the Civil War.

Greta Gerwig has created a lively script for this classic story by Louisa May Alcott. In a non-linear fashion, this fresh look into the Marsh family home and life, was charming and fun. Not to mention, scenes when tears were called for! When the girls quarrelled, when Amy burned Jo’s work, when Jo saved Amy from drowning, poverty and wealth……I’ll not tell all. I am assuming there are some who don’t know this beautiful story, but can’t imagine why. The issues that women faced ~ marry for money if you at all can, but women must marry ~ was discussed between sisters with Aunt March (Meryl Streep) giving stern direction. The casting was excellent for all the characters. An additional challenge for the actors that played the four sisters, Jo, Meg, Amy and Beth, was defining their roles from adolescence through to adulthood. They were each successful. 

The movie Little Women for Christmas of 2019, is a must see movie. It is true to Louisa May Alcott’s story, opening with Jo March walking briskly into Mr. Dashwood’s office with a manuscript. From there, each of the girls gives us their memories that are the story Little Women.

“Girls have to go out into the world and 

make up their own minds about things.”

~ Marmee, Little Women

Directed by Greta Gerwig

Written By:  Greta Gerwig

Based on the novel by:  Louisa May Alcott

Cast:

Saoirse Ronan: Jo March

Emma Watson: Meg March

Florence Pugh: Amy March

Eliza Scanlon: Beth March

Laura Dern: ‘Marmee’ Mary March

Bob Odenkirk: Mr. March

Meryl Streep:  Aunt March

Timothée Chalamet: Laurie (Teddy)

Chris Cooper: Mr. Laurence (Laurie’s grandfather)

James Norton: John Brooke

Louis Garrel: Friedrich Bhaer

Tracy Letts:  Mr. Dashwood