Why you should watch Little Women

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

A new look at the time-tested classics will appeal to both fans of the book and the rest of the audience.

On January 30, a new film directed by Greta Gerwig, based on two classic novels by Louise May Alcott - "Little Women" and "Good Wives", will be released in Russia. Starring Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Timothy Chalamet, Louis Garrel, Laura Dern and Meryl Streep.

The film covers several years of the lives of the four March sisters who lived in New England during the American Civil War.

Elder Meg (Emma Watson), a slightly conceited beauty with a heart of gold, discovers the joys and pitfalls of family life. The wayward Joe (Saoirse Ronan) is building a career as a writer, the youngest in the Amy family (Florence Pugh) is studying painting and at the same time overcoming a serious personal and professional crisis. Well, good-natured Beth (Eliza Scanlen) just tries to enjoy every day she lives.

The warm relationship of the girls with the aristocratic Laurie (Timothy Chalamet), who lives next door, runs through the story as a red thread.

To viewers unfamiliar with the literary source, it may seem that they are facing an ordinary costume drama from the life of the century before last (albeit very intricately tailored). But for those who read the book, after the very first shots, it will become clear what a tremendous amount of work the creators have done to modernize the classic novel.

Greta Gerwig completely deprives the plot of a consistent structure and composes her own complex chronology.

Therefore, viewers follow the past and the present at the same time. At the same time, everything experienced is saturated with nostalgia and is shown through a sensual golden haze. But the future of little women looks much more mundane - cool color grading hints at it. And unraveling the abrupt chronological tangle will turn out only closer to the finale. Nevertheless, the end will still make the viewer doubt if everything is so simple.

However, the director is not limited only to a complex production and goes even further. For example, actresses are much older than their book prototypes: 12-year-old Amy is played by 24-year-old Florence Pugh, 16-year-old Margaret - 29-year-old Emma Watson.

But this was done on purpose. Thanks to this decision, it is easier for the viewer to identify with the heroes.

If in the original source the characters were given approximately equal amount of time, then in the film adaptation Joe's story arc comes to the fore. Trying to fulfill her dream and build a literary career, the heroine goes a long way - from a production for a home theater to the first published work.

As the plot develops and the heroine becomes the heroine, the autobiographical motive of her arc becomes more and more distinct. In the end, Joe finally becomes Louise May Alcott's alter ego, reminding the viewer that Little Women was partly created in the footsteps of the writer's childhood memories.

The film also corrects one serious flaw in the novel: the latter sinned by having too much moralizing in it. Nevertheless, the book's key edifying idea still runs through the narrative like a red thread.

In Gerwig's painting, love is repeatedly opposed to material values.

One of the heroines, without hesitation, sells her long hair to help her father. In another episode, the March family sacrifices a festive breakfast for another, even poorer family. Finally, the young girls give a decisive rebuff to the grumpy aunt (Meryl Streep), who preaches marriage of convenience.

Another important idea of the picture: life is equally full of bright moments and sorrows, and changes are inevitable. And we will have to face them, no matter how much we wish the opposite. The passage of time and the fragility of the moment in the film is emphasized by the lyrical music written by Alexander Desplat, as well as by subtle camera techniques.

Even those who do not perceive costume films at all should take a closer look at the film, if only for the sake of a colorful kaleidoscope of actors. They are here really for every taste.

Laura Dern and Meryl Streep, who have earned the title of living legends, need no introduction and adorn the frame with their mere presence. Young stars are not inferior to them, especially Saoirse Ronan, who has already worked with Greta Gerwig in the Oscar-winning drama "Lady Bird". Emma Watson was definitely born to play the role of a well-bred lady, and the phenomenal Timothy Chalamet confirms the glory of the new Hollywood heritage entrenched in him.

A masterly adapted script, sincere acting of artists, witty and deep directorial finds - all this makes Gerwig's picture a must-see. Moreover, this film will be pleasant to revisit over and over again, finding new amazing facets and shades in it.