We are back for 2020. Although, I do admit I saw this film in 2019, I’ve just been much too busy to sit down and witter about my feelings around a film. Nonetheless, I have finally found half an hour free and intend to discuss a rather good film which made my top twenty of the year. So without further ado, lets talk Little Women.

Based on the book by Louisa Alcott (which I have yet to read), Little Women follows the story of four sisters in two different time periods. Jo (Saoirse Ronan) is a writer who never plans to fall in love. She wants to be successful, but her writings aren’t interesting enough according to the publisher who requires women to be married or dead by the end. Meg (Emma Watson) would rather fall in love than be rich. Amy (Florence Pugh), however, believes that marriage is merely good for money and wants nothing more than riches as she becomes a painter. Beth (Eliza Scanlen) is the innocent one of the group and a talented pianist. They are looked after by Marmee (Laura Dern) while their dad is fighting the civil war. They just about get by, nonetheless acting with generosity and kindness to one another and their community. Meanwhile, their aunt Marge (Meryl Streep) enjoys living in wealth albeit in a cold frame of mind. Next door is rich kid Laurie (Timothee Chalamet) who takes a liking to Jo.

Gollowing all of these characters over two time periods may look like it can get confusing and at first it does as the film jumps back and forth. However, after a while you can follow it and see why the present is the way it is compared to the past. Time jumps are brilliantly timed as director Greta Gerwig puts together a cohesive and intriguing narrative. Furthermore, each character is made to feel like an individual who you can explore throughout the run time.

The themes of love and money come up throughout the film, justifying all decisions whether they be right or wrong. Nowhere are the themes and differences more apparent than in costumes. When searching for money, Amy will wear big outlandish dresses compared to Jo’s simpler taste.

The lighting throughout the film is brilliant as well. While scenes from the past have a warm orange glow, scenes from the future have a cold blue feel to them in comparison, allowing the viewer to differentiate and showing them that the issues they have in the future need to be resolved. One small gripe I had was that some of the early scenes were poorly lit meaning I struggled to see exactly what was going on.

Most of the cast are on top form throughout this. Ronan is absolutely brilliant as usual as Jo, however she may even have been outshined by Florence Pugh as Amy. The relationship between both of them feels so natural and flowing. Ronan and Chalamet’s natural chemistry was also apparent throughout leading to both of them having some of the funniest and most heartwarming scenes. Laura Dern was incredible as well. It was odd how little screen time a big name like Emma Watson had as it felt like they skirted around her character a bit.

The first word I wrote on my notes app was “charming” on the train ride home. The whole film will make you feel warm but will make you cry. It’s a wonderful film for the whole family. The script is very funny and made me laugh out loud multiple times. Such a film with strong women holding their own should be considered a feminist masterpiece, and yet it doesn’t feel ragingly political. Even if it is such a film, Little Women will have universal appeal to people of both genders. My only wish was that we could explore these characters more.

Summary

While not quite hitting the incredible heights of Ladybird, Gerwig does a good job putting together a compelling narrative which you buy from the beginning. This alongside brilliant acting throughout the cast make Little Women one of the best family films of 2019. [Grade: B+]