Film Review: "Little Women" (2019).

"Own your story." This is Little Women. This coming-of-age period drama film adapted and directed by Greta Gerwig, and based on Louisa May Alcott's 1868 novel of the same name. It is the seventh adaptation of Alcott's literary classic. The film follows the lives of four sisters, Amy, Jo, Beth and Meg, as they come of age in America in the aftermath of the Civil War. Though all very different from each other, the March sisters stand by each other through difficult and changing times.

In October 2013, Sony Pictures announced a new film adaptation of Alcott's novel. In March 2015, Amy Pascal began developing the new adaptation, with Sarah Polley hired to pen, and potentially direct, the adaptation. However, despite reports, Polley's involvement never went beyond initial discussions. In August 2016, Gerwig was hired to pen the adaptation. In June 2018, in light of her awards season success with Lady Bird, Gerwig was hired to direct as well. In addition, it was announced that Emma Stone, Saoirse Ronan, and Florence Pugh had been cast as Meg, Jo, and Amy March. In July, Eliza Scanlen was cast as Beth March. In addition, Stone dropped out of the project due to scheduling conflicts. Ultimately, Emma Watson replaced her. By early October, Laura Dern, Timothée Chalamet, Meryl Streep, Tracy Letts, Bob Odenkirk, James Norton, Louis Garrel, and Chris Cooper rounded out the film's cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced, and wrapped in mid December. Filming took place throughout Massachusetts. Gerwig was six months pregnant with her first child by the time filming ended and went into labor forty-eight hours after turning in her rough edit. She succeeded in keeping her pregnancy under wraps so well that nobody on set knew she was expecting. In early April 2019, it was announced that Alexandre Desplat had been hired to compose the film's score.

The film stars an ensemble cast that includes Ronan, Watson, Pugh, Scanlen, Dern, Chalamet, Streep, Letts, Odenkirk, Norton, Garrel, and Cooper. The cast, especially Ronan, Watson, Pugh and Scanlen, so impeccably transported these characters from page to screen that the film, like the book, has become a familiar haven of warmth to be visited again and again.

Thanks to a powerhouse lineup of talented actresses, Gerwig's take on Alcott's Little Women proves that a timeless story can succeed no matter how many times it's told. The film is an outstanding version of Alcott's perennial, one that surpasses even the best previous rendition, Gillian Armstrong's 1994 outing starring Wynona Ryder. The film is, in short, a joy to behold. But beyond the eye-candy, there is real substance in Gerwig's screenwriting. It's her naturalistic approach to a story she clearly loves that brings this beautiful film to life. The film is meticulously crafted and warmly acted. It is one of the rare Hollywood studio films that invites your attention, slowly and elegantly, rather than propelling your interest with effects and easy manipulation. Ladies, get out your hand-hemmed handkerchiefs for the loveliest Little Women ever on screen.

Simon says Little Women receives:

Also, see my review for Lady Bird.