The story of ‘Little Women’ is not for everyone

BY Ron and Leigh

Louisa May Alcott was a feminist long before feminism was cool. In the early 1800s, the world had experienced England’s Jane Austin, but Alcott was the Civil War generation’s gift to American literature. Now, after at least four movies and four TV series of the same name, writer-director Greta Gerwig (“Lady Bird”) delivers the latest adaptation.

The 1868 novel was the semi-autobiographical account of Alcott’s family life in New England. This coming-of-age tale of her and her three sisters became an instant American classic. Now, Gerwig has reimagined this story, lifting much of the dialog directly from the source, but giving more of a staccato pace and tone.

The actors are allowed to talk over each other, giving more of a “Gilmore Girls” feel. Gerwig also borrowed lines from Alcott’s other works and family letters, as well as adding her own provocative flourishes. The goal was to make this story more current, yet maintaining the integrity of the 150-year-old classic. Mission accomplished.

The story centers on Jo March, played by Saoirse (“Seer-sha”) Ronan, who rejects society’s defined role for women. She is instructed, especially by Aunt March (Meryl Streep), that a woman must marry well to have the things she wants. Jo defiantly declares, “I intend to make my own way in the world!” As she presents her novel to the publisher, he objects, “If the main character is a girl, she needs to be married by the end, or dead.”

Jo March might be the role Ronan was born to play. Ronan has been Oscar-nominated three times, the first at age 13. She also teamed with Gerwig in the award-winning “Lady Bird” (2017). The ensemble cast is superb. The other three March sisters are Meg (Emma Watson), Amy (Florence Pugh) and Beth (Eliza Scanlen). Of the four “American” sisters, one actor is Irish, two are British and one is Australian, go figure.

Laura Dern and Bob Odenkirk play the parents and Chris Cooper plays the wealthy neighbor, Mr. Laurence. Laurie, the dreamy neighbor boy is played by Timothee Chalamet (also from “Lady Bird”). In the 1994 movie version, the role of Laurie was played by now superstar Christian Bale. Meanwhile, Angela Lansbury played Aunt March in the most recent BBC TV Series version.

Sister Amy studies diligently to be an artist in Paris. When Laurie compliments her talent, she protests, “I have talent, yes but talent isn’t genius.” Laurie adds, “And women aren’t that welcome in the club of genius anyway.” Amy reluctantly concedes, “Marriage is an economic proposition, at least it is for me.”

This story is not for everyone. It features strong women facing serious domestic struggles and joys while enjoying art, music, dance and literature. They experience romance, rejection, anger and forgiveness. There are no car chases and the only things that blow up are relationships. So for some, it could be the longest movie since “Eat Pray Love.”

The story is told in flashbacks that toggle between the teen years of these sisters and their early adulthood. The task of following all the characters and each of their own stories in this manner is interesting and artistic but far too much work for the audience. Thankfully, we eventually arrived at the same point by the end.

“Little Women” is 134 minutes and rated PG for thematic elements. Alcott explained that her father had referred to his four daughters as his little women, thus the title. Although not mentioned in this movie, her father was friends with Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry David Thoreau and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. So, Alcott was not without some strong mentorship along the way.

Saoirse Ronan has just been nominated for a Golden Globe for her role in this movie while Laura Dern was just nominated for a Globe in this year’s “Marriage Story,” written and directed by Noah Baumbach, Greta Gerwig’s significant other and father of their newborn son. This is an important movie whose topic is unfortunately still timely and relevant.

Ron’s Rating: C
Leigh’s Rating: B