LITTLE WOMEN
US, 2019, 130 minutes, Colour.
Saoirsel Ronan, Emma Watson, Timothee Chalamet, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Laura Dern, Tracy Letts, Bob Odenkirk, James Norton, Louis Garell, Chris Cooper, Meryl Streep.
Directed by Greta Gerwig.
Louisa M.Alcott’s Little Women must be one of the most frequently filmed American novels. It is surprising to find yet another so soon. But, here it is, adapted for the screen and directed by Greta Gerwig, who has contributed quite a number of engagingly idiosyncratic performances to such films as Frances Ha, Mistress of America, and who directed the Oscar-nominated film of 2017, Lady Bird.
The star of Lady Bird, the versatile Saoirse Ronan, appears as Josephine March, Jo March, the vigorous heroine of the novel, ambitious to be a writer, limited by her post-Civil War surroundings, devoted to her family, a forerunner of the 20th century independent woman. She makes quite a contrast with her three sisters, the more domesticated Meg (Emma Watson, more sweetness and light than her energetic Hermione in the Harry Potter series), the more ambitious and provocative Amy (Florence Pugh, a strong female presence in Lady Macbeth, Little Drummer Girl, Fighting with my Family), and the youngest, Beth, plagued with ill-health (Eliza Scanlon).
Perhaps surprisingly, Marmee is played with quite some vigour and energy by Laura Dern (a tall presence with Soairse Ronan looking tall and thin, credible as her daughter). This time Father is mostly absent at the Civil War and its aftermath (Bob Odenkirk). And, of course, we have high expectations for the severe and demanding Aunt March – and are rewarded by her being played by Meryl Streep (but we wouldn’t have minded having her in more scenes). Then there are other neighbours, Laurie (Timothee Chalamet), devoted to Jo; his grandfather Mr Laurence (Chris Cooper) and the tutor, Mr Brook (James Norton). And, for Professor Baer, Louis Garell has been brought from France.
No complaints about the effective cast.
What makes this version of Little Women rather different is that in its telling, unlike the straightforward narratives in the past films and television series, it moves somewhat in reverse. It begins, more or less, at the end of the story and goes back and forth in extensive flashbacks. What might make it confusing to those not familiar with the story, is that the relationship between Jo and Laurie goes through enthusiasms and disappointments but only later are we shown the time that he proposed to her. We also see scenes of the marriage between Meg and John Brook, only later seeing the exhilaration of the wedding sequence.
This means that the screenplay keeps us on our toes, re-assessing various episodes as we see more developments as well as reverting to the past.
The film does create the happy atmosphere of the March household. But attention is given to the key sequence where Amy is not allowed to go to the dance and, spitefully, burns Joe’s manuscript – but, we have already seen the later episodes where Amy accompanies Aunt March to Europe and encounters Laurie there.
And, more attention is given to Jo’s visits to the publisher, an acerbic Mr Dashwood (Tracy Letts) who is a demanding editor, trapped in his times where only happy endings are permitted, a happy ending being where the female character finishes married!
Which means that there is a lot of reflection on the 19th century but some judgements made in the retrospect of the 20th and centuries, the role of family, the role of women, assertiveness for women, sympathetic and supportive men.
Because of the popularity of Little Women, it may not be too long before there is yet another version to entertain as well is to tantalise.
1. The 21st century version of the popular novel? The status of the novel, in the United States? Worldwide?
2. Concord Massachusetts, the 19th century? The background of the Civil War? Family life, homes, neighbours? Contrast with Europe and travel? The sequences in New York City, the boarding house, the publisher’s office? The musical score?
3. The strong cast?
4. The storytelling in reverse, sequences in New York City, the range of flashbacks? Yet the order of the flashbacks in terms of time? Sequences of relationships – and then later the background of the relationships? The effect, audiences supplying their knowledge of the story?
5. Little Women as Jo’s story? The second daughter, her relationship with the other girls? Seen in New York City, her story, going to the publisher, the discussion, talking about her friend the writer, the publisher reading it, his comments, accepting the story, the haggling about the finance, copyright? The boarding house, the presence of Frederick Baer, friendship, his critique of her work, Jo upset?
6. Jo and her relationship with her sisters, the different relationship with each of them, the interactions? Marmee, her presence, strong, love, her work supporting the soldiers, her charity and mission, urging her daughters to give to the poor, the effect on them? Father absent at the war? The different personalities of the sisters, their interactions? At home, loving friendship, the issue of the dance, Jo and her dress, fixing Meg’s dress? Amy wanting to go? Her tantrum and putting Jo’s manuscript in the fire?
7. Meg, the relationship with John? Seeing them as married, the family, being poor, his work as a tutor? Meg tempted to buy the fabric, explaining it to John, his reaction? Her selling it? The older couple, quiet, responsibilities? Yet Meg as young, theatre, the wedding sequence and her happiness, family? John and his solid character?
8. The men in the story, Mr Laurence as the neighbour, friendly, the piano, Beth going to play, his giving it is a gift? His relationship with Laurie?
9. Laurie, his life, with Mr Laurence, his wealth, friendship with Jo, the scenes together, the exhilaration at the beach? Later seeing the scene of rejection? Seeing Laurie in Europe, his attraction towards Amy, sharing with her, the proposal, the marriage, the return home? Jo and her response?
10. Amy, her age, position in the family, a strongly determined young woman, not going to the dance, the manuscript and the fire, being confronted, her being sorry, the effect on Jo and hardening her, Marmee and her intervention? Amy on the ice, falling through the ice, the rescue, Jo being touched? The relationship with Aunt March, her taking Amy to Europe, Jo’s disappointment, Amy and her response to travel, the art, tuition, the possibility of marrying Fred, her refusal? Laurie and his attentions? The marriage and the return?
11. Beth, the youngest, devoted, playing the piano, going to Mr Laurence’s house? The gift of the piano? The scarlet fever, her illness, the family tending her, Jones returned? Amy away? The beach scene in joy? Beth the death?
12. Jo, her writing, telling the story of the family, going to Mr Dashwood and his being pressured by his daughter’s to publish? Issues of copyright, Finance?
13. Meryl Streep’s performance as Aunt March, rich, older, haughty, interfering, her commentary, criticism of Jo, John and Meg’s marriage? Taking Amy to Europe? Approving of Laurie? Her death?
14. The inheritance of the house, transforming it into a school? The whole family participating?
15. Jo, the visit of Professor Baer, the family seeing the relationship, urging Jo to pursue him, catching up with him at the station? A future?
16. The ups and downs of a family, suffering, self-sacrifice, happiness?
