Source: Sony Pictures
Movie title: Little Women
Year Released: 2019
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Run time: 135 mins
My Rating:
4/5 Stars
Genre: Romance/ Drama
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, Timothee Chalamet, Emma Watson, Eliza Scanlen
Directed by: Greta Gerwig
Produced by: Denise Di Novi, Amy Pascal, Robin Swicord, Arnon Milchan
Written by: Greta Gerwig (Adapted Screenplay), Louise May Alcott (Original Book)
Music by: Alexandre Desplat
Awards Received:
Critics Choice Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, Academy Award for Best Costume Design, Bafta for Best Costume Design (the list continues)
Why did I choose this particular film?
I know I originally planned to do this challenge based on films I have never seen, and whilst I have seen the remake of Little Women many times, I had never seen the original Little Women. The original Little Women was released in 1994 directed by Gillian Armstrong, starring Winona Ryder and Christian Bale, and therefore I felt this would be the best opportunity to finally sit down and watch.
Would I recommend this film? Why or why not?
I really would recommend this film. Whilst having its sad moments, it's an overall pleasant and comforting watch celebrating the lives of these 4 adventurous women as they head out into the world, each carving out their own version of the life they want to live.
Which character was I most able to identify with or connect with?
Whilst I would say I am similar to Amy in my opinions of being a somewhat hopeless romantic, my ambitious side is definitely reflected in Jo's adventurous and determined spirit to go out and achieve the plans she sets into place.
Best line or memorable quote:
"Women have minds, and they have souls, as well as just hearts. And they've got ambition, and they've got talent, as well as beauty. I'm so sick of people saying that love is all a woman is fit for."
Did I feel this film was better or worse than the original?s
I felt this film was better than the original as it really honed in on each sister's journeys. I understand Jo is the protagonist of the tale but I really enjoyed how Gerwig delved into each of the sisters' lives as well as that of Jo's. I must note I enjoyed both very much and with Winona Ryder as a personal favourite of mine it does pain me to say that I prefer the more recent version, but I felt it was a much stronger film. Both films have exceptional casts and each actor definitely brought something new to their own interpretations of the characters.
Did the film follow the original storyline, or did it create something new?
The film followed the original storyline, as told by the book, yet structured the story in a way where we view the sisters in the present moment before jumping back and forth over timelines to perceive their lives as young girls in flashbacks. As a result, I enjoy this remake much better than the original. This structure was more engaging to me as we are able to view little glimpses of the lives they lead whilst older, in comparison to when they are young. Gerwig does this so flawlessly that the audience remains engaged, yet she ensures the ending of each of the girls' stories isn't spoiled for us from the get-go. Overall, over the course of the film, the puzzle pieces of each girl's life form together to create the story beloved by many.
Anything else to add?
As mentioned previously, I felt both casts were amazing. The only thing I feel would make the remake better, would be if it followed the same approach as that of the original, by casting a younger actress to play a young Amy. Within the first film, Kirsten Dunst portrays a young Amy, whilst Samantha Mathis portrays an older grown-up version of Amy. Whilst Florence Pugh does have a young face and is a fantastic actress very much able to portray a younger Amy, I did find it hard to believe she was playing a 12-year-old during the flashbacks and is the only thing I feel the film is lacking.
IMDB Link: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3281548/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0 (2019)