Synopsis

Greta Gerwig writes and directs this period adaptation of the novel by Louisa May Alcott starring Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh and Eliza Scanlen. Set in 1860s New England, the March sisters – Jo (Ronan), Meg (Watson), Amy (Pugh) and Beth (Scanlen) – are growing up in the aftermath of the American Civil War. With ambitions far beyond the hopes of her mother (Laura Dern) and aunt (Meryl Streep), Jo dreams of one day becoming a writer. Tired of the assumptions that all a woman is good for is marrying a man, Jo sets out to prove her worth and endeavours to encourage her sisters to do the same.

Critics Views

“This is such a beguiling, generous film from Gerwig. There is a lot of love in it.” The Guardian

“In an era in which sentimentality is a seasoning that filmmakers either shun entirely or employ with too heavy a hand, Gerwig crafts a work about love and family and devotion and empathy that is moving without being manipulative. This is a Little Women for the ages.” The Wrap

“Gerwig’s adaptation looks at the eponymous little women through ambitious storytelling techniques that modernize the book’s timeless story in unexpected ways. ”Indiewire

“It would be near-impossible to love Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women more than Greta Gerwig does.” The Telegraph

“Gerwig skilfully navigates the line between respecting the story’s old-fashioned bones while illuminating the modernity of its proto-feminist perspective, only occasionally leaning into speechy advocacy of a woman’s right to self-actualization beyond marriage. Her cast may be slightly bound by their canonical character types, but there’s lovely ensemble work here, captained with coltish physicality and hard-charging pluck by the luminous Saoirse Ronan as Jo.” The Hollywood Reporter

Film Rating

IMDb
 Critics: 91%  Audience 81%

Rotten Tomatoes
Critics positive review 93%   Audience Liked It 84%

 Stockbridge Audience Score: 68%

Audience Comments

A wonderful adaptation.
Awful modern version. Left early I’m afraid.
Beautifully filmed, good score – Saiorse Ronan rarely disappoints.
A perfect post COVID opener. A bit saccharine but visually beautiful and well cast.Probably more suited to females.
Well acted but not my style of film.
I felt it was spoiled by not being treated chronologically. The flash-backs were sometimes confusing and the dialogue was not always clear. Otherwise a well-acted costume drama.
Slow to get going but enjoyed it.
Fabulous shots of landscape, interiors etc.
It was confused in using flashbacks. At times difficult to hear speech. Characters looked and wore the same, when portraying children or adults. Rather disappointing.
I felt it was spoiled by not being treated chronologically. The flash-backs were sometimes confusing and the dialogue was not always clear. Otherwise a well-acted costume drama.