REVIEW: A writer, a sketch artist, an aspiring actress and a budding pianist. All four March sisters are gifted with a unique talent, but they live in the times where the only two choices for women are marriage and death. Writer-director Greta Gerwig leads with a scene where the film’s protagonist Jo (Saoirse Ronan) is trying to sell her first story to a newspaper editor.
In her very first scene, Gerwig successfully establishes the staggering prejudice that Jo is up against, as a woman. But that is no dampener for Jo, whose fiery spirit to follow her dreams and live independently will resonate with women even today.
Set in the 1800s, Jo’s character is a rarity and Ronan beautifully captures her essence. Her performance is clearly one of the film’s many highlights. Ronan doesn’t miss a beat while portraying Jo’s internal conflicts and vulnerability as she marches on to chase her dreams, against all odds. And this is perhaps the strongest fabric running across all the women characters of this period drama that is rooted in realism. Emma Watson plays Meg March with such dignified restrain that you feel her pain without any over-the-top theatrics. Eliza Scanlen’s portrayal of Elizabeth is just as measured despite much less screen time and dialogues. However, it’s Florence Pugh, who gets to play quite an arch as Amy. She finely balances Amy’s transition from a bratty spoilt younger sister to a strong woman, who stands up for herself. Meryl Streep as the no-nonsense and straight-talking Aunt March is a hoot, leaving us wanting for more. Laura Dern exudes motherly warmth as the compassionate Marmee March. Among the men, Timothée Chalamet infuses the right amount of boyish charm in the character of Laurie, who is besotted by Jo, but is also wise enough to be aware of all the ground realities.
The film’s narrative stays honest to its source material and retains its contemporary essence. While it’s not radical, it is certainly refreshing in its approach of organically underlining its feminist convictions. However, the constant back and forth of the timeline is a bit disorienting. Especially, because even in the seven years gap, most characters look exactly the same, except for Amy, who evolves in her dressing and fashion sense as well. The detailing of the sets, costumes and locations, adds to the realism. The rich background score elevates Gerwig’s storytelling. Marked by strong performances and endearing characters, ‘Little Women’ is a relevant retelling of a classic bestseller that is as poetic as it is real.
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