Period pieces are not usually my thing, but Greta Gerwig’s fresh take on the literary classic Little Women has changed my mind. Adapted from Louisa May Alcott’s 1868 novel. Little Women tells the story of the March sisters, looking back over their lives from childhood through to adulthood. As someone who found great comfort in Gerwig’s directorial debut Lady Bird (2017), I was extremely excited to see what contemporary touches she would apply to such a well-known story.
The films most obvious stylistic distinction is the use of a non-linear narrative structure, hopping between childhood and adulthood through the sisters’ flashbacks. If unfamiliar with the story, this structure can at first feel somewhat confusing. However, Gerwig signifies the difference between past and present with a subtle change in colour, the younger sisters met with a youthful orange hue while the older girls are presented in the cooler, blue tones of adulthood.
This narrative choice isn’t solely used to create individuality in the multitude of Little Women adaptations; it holds a much more meaningful purpose within the lives of the sisters. The film largely follows Jo (Saoirse Ronan), the most independent and work-driven of the sisters, as she tries to make a life for herself in New York away from her childhood home in Massachusetts. The events of Jo’s present-day life lead to flashbacks of her family’s past, creating links between each siblings’ former and present selves and showing their development in a way that isn’t critical of their younger identity.
Gerwig’s ensemble cast contains many strong performances, but the stand out stars I believe are Saoirse Ronan and Florence Pugh, recognised with Oscar nominations for playing sisters Jo and Amy. Each sibling is so different and both actresses embodied them perfectly. While Jo has always carried a sense of determination and independence from youth, Amy was the troublemaker, adding both humour and conflict to the lives of the sisters through her pettiness and jealousy. As the sisters grow older and move away from their home, they both become somewhat lost and unsure of their lives. When they are confronted by a great loss and return home, they both realise what they need in their lives - the love and support of their family.
Other notable performances include Laura Dern’s Marmee March, the girls’ mother, a kind and calming spirit who always diffuses the sisters’ conflicts and mishaps and offers support and generosity, not only to her children but to the wider community. Timothee Chalamet also offers a fantastic portrayal of Laurie, the wealthy neighbour of the March family who falls in love with Jo - a love that is confronted in a painful scene of confession and bitter reality.
This film is boldly and proudly feminist and creates a wonderful mix of emotion and empowerment. It celebrates friendship and sisterhood, presenting a family network so comforting and honest that I felt almost like a fifth sister. I genuinely empathised with each character, admiring all their desires and aspirations and feeling their heartbreaks and setbacks. It acknowledges each sister as their own individual, having their own qualities and ambitions which are all equally important.
While Jo rejects the idea of marriage and wants to make a name for herself through her writing, Meg (Emma Watson) places her love and ambition in creating a family of her own; neither are seen as less meaningful or noteworthy and they all support one another entirely. Like in any family, there were, of course, some childish conflicts and petty arguments, but the strength of their bond and love for one another outweighed them all, creating an overall sense of warmth and joy.
Little Women is beautiful in every sense of the word; from the script to the score, the performances to the production design, the world of the March family feels like a safe haven of love, support and creativity. Greta Gerwig has created a film that is utterly endearing and empowering and I wish the Academy would acknowledge her, not just for being a female filmmaker, but for being a fantastic one.
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