This time, we are treated to perfect casting and perhaps the liveliest movie presentation of this iconic tale about four sisters growing up during the Civil War era. Katharine Hepburn (1933), June Allyson (1949), Wynonna Ryder (1994), and Sarah Davenport (2018) have given excellent screen performances as Jo, the story’s main character. But none of them touched me as deeply as Saoirse Ronan in this new Little Women, written and directed by Gerwig. Perhaps the recent experience Ronan and Gerwig shared working together in Lady Bird helped bring out even more levels of their extraordinary talents in this impressive offering.
Speaking of talented cast members, the entire supportive ensemble deserves recognition. Laura Dern as Marmee, Frances Pugh as Amy, Emma Watson as Meg, Eliza Scanlen as Beth, Meryl Streep as Aunt March, and Timothée Chalamet as Laurie all stand out. In particular, Chalamet impressed me with the best ever interpretation of Laurie, who suffers from his unrequited love for the independent Jo, whose writing always seems to come first. His interpretation of this important character went straight to my heart.
The March sisters on screen again.
Greta Gerwig gives them a spin.
“Little Women” – a tale well-told
and led by Jo, the sister bold.
Saoirse Ronan plays that key role
with intellect and heart and soul.
This version skips around in time,
which ends up being quite sublime.
A lovely film for families.
Plus other viewers it should please.
Remakes often fail movie fans.
But this one might be safe from pans.
Splendid production values make us feel like we have been transported back in time. Period costumes and sets plus atmospheric cinematography and background music are all first rate. But don’t expect linear storytelling here. Surprisingly, Gerwig’s version uses out-of-sequence flashbacks that actually heighten our interest.
As expected, Gerwig’s remake emphasizes the importance of family, especially sisterhood, through the ups and downs of life. That’s why this review is dedicated to my dear sister, Ruella Anderson.
I like to help women help themselves…Whatever we can do and do well we have the right to and I don’t think anyone will deny us. --- Louisa May Alcott
(Released by Sony Pictures and rated “PG-13” by MPAA.)
Review also posted at ReelTalk Movie Reviews.
I have a pet peeve about constantly remaking the same movie by executives concerned about the box office bottom line and knowing that after 20 years or so, a whole new crop of moviegoers is going to want to watch a classic story like Louisa May Alcott's. Her story and other classic true stories and novels are rarely rewritten. People who try to write sequels usually fail the quality of the original. But as far as movies go, you can remake the same story over and over, ad nausea and get new results?
Your fine review seems to think that this version is the best so attempting to view any of the older movies would be a waste of time--right? I'm perfectly fine with the first version of A Christmas Carol. I have watched it many times. There's really no need to modernize a classic movie except to make money from a naïve new audience who never saw the original even though it's on TV every Christmas.
Ron