Logan Sork Film Reviews
Little Women
The original novel “Little Women” never really appealed to me. The concept just never got me interested and I doubt I would be even now. Especially after seeing this film which, despite never having read the novel, feels like the perfect version of the story. Not only does this film manage to capture the tone and feel of that emanated from the original novel, but it more than manages to add enough sophistication and modern touches to this classic story to make it appealing to audiences old and young. From the fantastic cast and technical aspects to the homey feeling and complex ideas, the 2019 version of Little Women is the best of all things old and new.
Little Women is written and directed by Greta Gerwig and stars Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Laura Dern, Timothée Chalamet and Meryl Streep. The story follows the March family, a group of sisters living with their mother while their father serves in the military during the American Civil War. Over a period of several years, the sisters grow up with one another, getting into situations that bring them together, push them apart, and ultimately show how complicated and beautiful life can be.
The thing that really caught me by surprise with this film was the way it balanced out the quaint, and small story by adding some sophistication to the overall picture. The script, in particular, does a good job of doing this. Instead of playing the story in chronological order, Gerwig decides to split the film into two distinct time periods, showing both the past and present simultaneously. While this may take some time to get adjusted to, it adds a nice layer to the story that doesn’t seem to be present in any other adaptation. The two time periods show how our characters have grown from their younger selves, while also showcasing the nuances that remain consistent throughout their lives. While that is the biggest one, there are a lot of other modern touches that Gerwig adds to a somewhat dated source material. Making the viewing experience much more engaging as a result.
One of the things Gerwing does not change however is the time period of the novel. However, this is by no means a bad thing, as the overall look and feel of the film helps to add a special quaintness and charm that most other films lack. This especially comes across in the production and costume designs, which are lush with color and detail and makes the world of the film feel more real and lived in. The costumes also help to showcase different character traits and personalities beautifully, allowing you to tell what a character is going to be like the moment he or she walks on screen. Capturing all of this is the fantastic cinematography, which utilizes natural and traditional lighting techniques while capturing every detail thanks to the technology of modern cameras. From a technical standpoint, this is a well-crafted piece of cinema that captures a charming period of the past with all of the updates of modern technology without sacrificing the charm of the period.
Speaking of charm, the cast that Gerwig has assembled is simply on another level. Each and every member of the cast is delightful to watch on screen and brings a unique energy to the film, making the film feel so lively with all of these different energies on screen. Saoirse Ronan is incredibly fun as the spirited Jo March, whose chemistry with Timothee Chalamet’s Laurie is off the charts, bringing a lot of energy to the film. Florence Pugh is especially good as Amy, who goes from hilarious, bratty child to a respectable woman in such a nuanced way. Also excellent is Meryl Streep as the girls’ mean, grouchy aunt, bringing great comedic timing to such a wicked character. The only minor weak link in this is Emma Watson, who sometimes struggles to pull off an American accent but thankfully makes up for it with a few great emotional moments. Aside from that minor detail, this is just about as perfect a cast as you can get these days.
However, amongst all the fun energy and colorful production design, the film still has plenty of moments that strip away all of that and present a genuinely emotional experience. The story of four sisters growing up together is not one that is going to be as simple as some would like it to be. They are not always happy-go-lucky people every moment of every day. They have faults, they squabble, and they fight from time to time. In other words, they are human and have human qualities like faults and pouty attitudes. This helps give the film some emotional weight to it, especially when it comes to one particular story development. However, just because the sisters act bitter towards one another does not make this a dour film as it’s quite the contrary. There are some genuinely great ideas and concepts, including selflessness, familial connections, and the complex ways life works. Most of all, the film will sometimes explore both positives and negatives of certain ideas and present a well-balanced argument for whichever side you may be on. This is not just a film that looks good on the surface, as it’s complex portrayal of human beings and the concepts they explore growing up is certainly one that will have you thinking as you watch it. Hopefully, this film will help you grow just as the March sisters did.
They really don’t make ‘em like this anymore. Despite having never read the source material, I don’t think I really need to after seeing this film. What Greta Gerwig has done here is the perfect example of how adaptations should work, changing things up while still retaining the heart of the material, while perhaps making it even better. Little Women is a well-made tale of growing up and the trials and tribulations that come with it. So, if for any reason you think about reading the novel, don’t bother, just watch this instead and you will likely have the best experience and then some.
9/10