LITTLE WOMEN
UK/US, 2017, 165 minutes, Colour.
Maya Hawke, Kathryn Newton, Dylan Baker, Emily Watson, Willa Fitzgerald, Annes Elwy, Julian Morris, Jonah Hauer- King, Eleanor Methven, Michael Gambon, Angela Lansbury.
Directed by Vanessa Caswill.
Louisa May.Allcott’s novel was very popular at the time of its writing, the American Civil War, and has continued as a favourite, more than its sequel, Good Wives. This is yet another adaptation, some re-ordering of the plot lines, made for television. (In fact, there was another version in 2018, an updating of plot and characters to the 21st century which loses the somewhat elegant sensibility of the period in which it was set, far too modern, almost just another teenage movie.) At the end of 2019, there was a star cast version directed by Greta Gerwig.
Movie audiences had the opportunity to see a cast led by Katherine Hepburn in 1933 version, a cast led by June Allison in 1949 version with all the MGM style.
So, most audiences will be familiar with the novel and other versions and that sets up expectations. A great deal depends on the fidelity of the plot to the original and there have been some criticisms here.
However, the film has quite some strength in the casting, with Maya Hawke- Thurman as the forthright Jo but, especially, with the sensitivity of Emily Watson as Marmee and some good surprises with Dylan Baker as the father, Michael Gambon as Mr Lawrence and, with her long heritage of character roles, Angela Lansbury as Aunt March.
However, this miniseries is just one amongst many versions.
1. The popular classic? Film versions, television versions, modern updates? Comparisons?
2. The 21st-century version, the television, British and American production? Filmed in Ireland? The range of the cast, many British performers as Americans? The effect?
3. Audience familiarity with the story? The March family? The background of the Civil War? Marmee and her goodness, coping with her husband’s absence, Father as a minister, the war? The four daughters? Hannah the maid? The visit to Aunt March? Costumes and decor? Recreation of the period? The musical score?
4. The significance of the Civil War, the presence of African- Americans, Father and his work, John going to war, his being wounded? The shopkeeper, African- American, and his son at war?
5. Father’s absence, his injury, Marmee going to be with him, Meg’s pregnancy? Her return?
6. The tone of the opening, many kisses and giggles, moving to a more serious treatment, the focus on each of the daughters, each personality, differences, ages, relationships? Marmee and his concern about the poor family, giving the Christmas breakfast? Laurie seeing them, talking to Jo, his later gift?
7. Jo as the centre, tomboy, controlled emotions, interactions with her other sisters, her parents? The friendship with Laurie, the conversations? Her writing, going to the play, Amy and her tantrum, burning Jo’s manuscript? Jo and her bitterness, Amy’s forced apology? Later, her bond with Amy? Amy on the ice, everybody saving her including Jo? Jo wanting the trip to Europe, Amy going Instead? Her friendship with Laurie, his love for her over the years?
8. Meg nice, her work as a tutor, working for Aunt March, going to the dance, the attraction to John, his going to the war, his proposal, Aunt March’s reaction, in action, wounded, the wedding, Meg and the pregnancy, the birth of the twins?
9. Beth, young, quiet, at home, getting scarlet fever, her illness, Jo and her concern, taking her to the sea? The interpretation that she was attracted to Laurie? Her accepting her illness, talking with Marmee, her death?
10. Aunt March, Jo Has a companion, Amy taking her place, the visits, her harsh attitude, social snobbery? Laurie, John? Her gift for the wedding? Having a stroke and Jo’s visit? Leaving the house and the orchard to Jo?
11. Jo, her writing, creativity? Her parents and their support? Publishing, getting some money, finance for the family, her going to New York, the encounter with the professor, the philosophical discussions about Kant and Hegel, his encouraging her, her going home, looking after Beth, and the sea, at home, writing the poem, its being published? The professor liking it? His visiting, realising the attraction, having all the children at the estate and working with them? The whole family present?
12. Mr Lawrence, the neighbour, Laurie and his grandfather’s expectations, sending him to Harvard, the visits to the house, the pianos, his response, his friendship?
13. Amy, in Europe, Laurie going to Europe, their travels, sharing, Amy and her art? The return? Laurie and the final talk with Jo? Marrying Amy?
14. Louisa May Alcott as the American equivalent of Jane Austen and her story telling?
