The feels. Yes, the feels and the chills that Little Women, directed by Greta Gerwig, gives are unique. Jo March, her sisters, her mother, and Laurie will take you on an endless journey full of friendship, love, growth, and women empowerment.
In the 19th century, when society believed that single women couldn’t be successful, the talent of every single one of these young ladies created an unbreakable bond of hope in times of despair that would then determine their life path. In addition, the constant hope and determination that they carry in their hearts can inspire anyone watching. In this movie, there is no villain but many heroes, and the main hero, Jo March, represents the breaking of all the stigmas that society imposed on women in the 1860s.
The fiction drama novel by Louisa May Alcott has been adapted to several film versions before this one, which was released in 2019, and I dare say that this one is even better than the book itself. With the stunning performances of wonderful award-winning actors and actresses like Timothée Chalamet and Saoirse Ronan, who I have previously admired in “Lady Bird” by the same director, it was all so easy to fall in love with the roles that they played and how their characters developed throughout Little Women. One can easily connect with the genuine interaction between them both, not only because their personalities match the roles they are playing with respect to how they are described in the novel, but also for the bond that they seem to have every time they act together. Although their relationship is complicated in the movie, it is perceived so realistically that they become that couple we constantly wonder about even after the movie ends. For example, I ended up watching behind-the-scene videos after the movie just to see more of their spontaneous interactions.
Jo March, the protaganist, has always dreamed of being a published writer. There were only a few people that believed in her and they were exactly the most important people in her life: her sisters, her mother, and her best friend Laurie, who she meets by coincidence and develops a profound connection with from day one. Her sisters also have their own talents. Amy is a gifted artist who later on pursues her dreams outside the country. Beth, on the other hand, stays home and plays the piano with all her heart before things get complicated for her. Meg, who is the eldest sister, is incredible at acting and she enjoys performing in Jo’s plays even if it were just for fun. All of them built a sisterhood upon their talents they complemented each other.
Each one of them had a role at home by helping their mother and making use of their skills to make sure that their father’s absence and the moments of the American Civil War didn’t affect them too much. Despite the times when their bond almost broke and they stopped talking to each other for days, they never quit on each other. When Laurie entered their life, they realized that he was the final piece of family that they lacked. After Jo met him and discovered he was her neighbor, he visited and played with them every day throughout their adolescence, before adulthood knocked on their doors.
As they grew older, hardship eventually hit everyone in this story, including Jo. Both the rich and the poor suffered during the war and there were many occasions in which the characters were put in unexpected situations. However, they would always find a way to make things work, leaving a smile on the spectators’ faces even after they have cried. This was reflected through unity after what seemed to be an eternal separation between the characters.
From the emotional rollercoaster, the passion for art and beauty in all their forms, and the breathtaking scenes of nature and eye-catching Victorian dresses, came the uncontrollable desire of wanting to watch the movie again, even before it ended.
What first caught my eye besides the stunning dresses and clothing, were the rural green fields in the farms of Concord, Massachusetts, where the characters live and spend most of their time in. This gives the whole story a peaceful mood in contrast to the fact that the war was unfolding around their neighboring lands. Through this visually engaging experience, I remember wishing we could have some of the things from that era in today’s world, like the simple routines and horse rides without the ever-present influence of technology.
Finally, love in all of its forms is what really matters and when mixed with regret, destiny can have hard consequences on Jo’s innocent actions. She will forever remember what her older sister Meg told her once: “Just because my dreams are different than yours doesn’t mean they’re unimportant.” In this way, everything that was once told with rage ends up teaching the sisters lessons. One of the lessons is how humans change with time and thus, what we want today might not represent what we want tomorrow. In the end, reality hits; Jo’s decisions will change the course of her, her sisters,’ and Laurie’s life forever.
I was moved by the story and it made me value my relationships with family and friends in these modern times. I identified with and related to Jo as she brings out everything that makes me human, such as her vulnerability despite the fear that comes along with it. This movie is a 5/5 for me; I keep watching it every now and then. I think it has something new to convey every single time.