Friday Film Review: Little Women

David from Hillcrest Library reviews a film from our DVD Collection each Friday.
This week: Little Women, directed by Greta Gerwig

Little Women is one of those stories that feels like it has been done to death. It seems that every few years, a new adaptation of the novel appears. No one them, however, has felt as fresh as Greta Gerwig’s 2019 adaptation. Gerwig’s film seems to have its finger on the pulse in just the right way, to modernize the text but respect its heritage, to introduce a new audience into the heart and mind of Jo March.

What truly sets Gerwig’s film apart from the other adaptations are the performances. Saoirse Ronan is outstanding as Jo March, giving a wonderfully reserved performance, full of passionate speeches and bright ideas. The best performance, however, undoubtedly goes to Florence Pugh, as Amy March, who can seamlessly go from playing a child, to a mature adult trying to find her place in the world. With lavish costumes, and a supporting cast featuring Emma Watson, Timothée Chalamet, and Meryl Streep, Little Women truly is a film for the whole family. I simply adored this film, and you will too.