Little Women Review

Summary

  • Excellent acting
  • Sharp writing
  • Beautiful costumes and set decoration
  • I might be in love with Soairse Ronan now
  • GOOD PEOPLE BEING GOOD
  • Killer direction from Greta Gerwig
  • GIRLS CAN DO THINGS TOO, PEOPLE
  • 10/10

The full lowdown

My only other familiarization with the story came from a community theater production in my hometown of St. George, Utah. I haven’t read the book (yet) or seen any other movie adaptation. And frankly, I don’t know if I could fully enjoy any other movie adaptation of Little Women after this. It must pale in comparison to this one.

Greta Gerwig’s writing and direction are razor-sharp. The way that she directs her actors through conversations feels natural and unforced, yet the pacing sizzles. The jump cuts between the 7-year period felt a little jarring at first, but when I realized the events from each timeline were color graded differently, it made it easier to follow along. It made for some really cool and emotional moments when the movie cuts from one time frame to another in just the right way.

The film won an Oscar for Costume Design, deservedly. The costumes and set design were fantastic. It was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Leading Actress (Soairse Ronan), Best Supporting Actress (Florence Pugh), and Best Music. The joint efforts of all these incredible artists puts together a film that truly feels breathtakingly beautiful from beginning to end. It sounds corny, but it’s absolutely true.

I think part of that beauty comes from the story itself, though. Little Women is a breath of fresh air in a cinematic landscape filled with antiheroes and unlikable protagonists. The movie is about good people being good people while grappling with the socioeconomic inequality between men and women. And everyone in the movie is so lovable (with a couple of exceptions) that I wanted them to be a part of my life, too.

Overall, Little Women is the kind of movie I’d want to show my daughters if I had any. It’s refreshing and pure and leaves your heart feeling uplifted. It’s not without its tragedies–any good story has plenty–but the journey Little Women sends us on is beautiful and clean. I highly, highly recommend it.

In the meantime… Soairse Ronan, if you’re reading this… take me. I’m yours.

10/10


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