THIS movie is the latest adaptation of the 1868 literary classic by Louisa May Alcott.
If you are a fan of the popular American sitcom, Friends, you would probably remember this novel from the episode where Joey exchanges novels with Rachel. Rachel had to read The Shining while Joey had to read Little Women.
This classic story has already been adapted for both stage and screen multiple times since 1912, and this latest release is the seventh film adaptation.
The story brings us back to the period of the Civil War in America, where men left to join the army and women managed the household.
Jo – short for Josephine – March (Saoirse Ronan), the second of four daughters, is a very independent, ambitious and headstrong woman.
Her mother (Laura Dern) is a gentle soul who enjoys volunteer work, while her father (Bob Odenkirk) is in the army.
Jo, together with her three sisters Meg (Emma Watson), Beth (Eliza Scanlen), and Amy (Florence Pugh), give us a sneak peak on what sisterhood is like.
Despite their sibling disputes, they complete each other in their own way.
As you can see, what sets this movie apart from the other versions of Little Women are the main cast, comprising of Hollywood’s latest young stars.
Not to mention, the legendary Meryl Streep who plays the role of Aunt March along with Timothee Chalamet, who plays Laurie.
The movie depicts the romance between people from different backgrounds. Jo is from a middle class family while Laurie is from a wealthy family. They start out as friends but eventually Laurie falls for Jo.
After pursuing Jo for awhile, Laurie decides to make his feelings clear to her, but she rejects him as she is more interested in pursuing her career.
In the movie, Jo claims: “Marriage is an economic proposition.”
Jo packs her bags and moves to New York to pursue a career as a writer, while her sisters go on their own separate paths.
However, Jo’s plans do not turn out as she hopes. After enduring some hardships, Jo channels her pain into writing, which turns into a successful novel.
Eventually, everything falls into place for both Jo and her sisters.
The movie goes back and forth between scenes from the past and the present, giving us a glimpse of the changes that take place in Jo’s life.
Little Women portrays the different paths that women were able to pursue, despite the typical social expectations during the late 1800s.
This is a movie that reminds us that although life may not turn out the way we want, but destiny will always find its way, and there is always sunshine after the rain.
