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Since its publication in 1868 (with a second volume following behind in 1869), author Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women has been a beloved literary classic. It’s been adapted for stage, film, and television numerous times—and now writer/director Greta Gerwig gives literary fans the holiday gift of her own take on the characters and their stories.
Little Women tells the classic story of Jo March (Saoirse Ronan) and her three sisters as they grow up in Massachusetts following the Civil War. As headstrong aspiring writer Jo fights to be a strong, independent woman in a time when a woman’s best prospect is to marry well, her sisters have their own perspectives and personalities. And though they come of age and find their lives taking them in different directions, Jo looks back fondly on the laughter, the adventures, and even the challenges that they faced together as a family.
In telling the story of the March sisters, Gerwig generally remains true to Alcott’s novel while playing with the timeline of the storytelling. Instead of starting from the chronological beginning, introducing the characters as teenagers, this adaptation begins near the end, while Jo is living new New York City, working as governess and writing stories for publication. And as she goes about her work, she recalls the early parts of the story in flashbacks. The non-linear storytelling definitely keeps things moving, but it also takes some getting used to—and it could also pose a challenge to those who aren’t already familiar with the story.
Still, despite the changes in storytelling, the characters and their stories remain the same. Gerwig takes a novel that’s more than 700 pages long and condenses it into a manageable two-hour runtime. She fits a whole lot of story into a short amount of time without making it feel rushed or diluted. She develops the characters, builds their relationships, and makes it all both relatable and enjoyable. The moments when the sisters are together are often noisy and chaotic, filled with energy and activity…and plenty of bickering, too. And though the story may be set more than 150 years ago, so much of it still holds true. In each one of these women, you’ll recognize a woman that you know.
Everything here just works together—from the strong personalities of the characters to the gorgeous costumes and settings to the moving score. It’s a beautiful, character-driven film—and a fitting adaptation of a timeless classic.
If you’ve ever been engrossed in the pages of Louisa May Alcott’s beloved novel, Greta Gerwig’s Little Women will transport you back and reunite you with the characters. But even if you’ve never tackled the book, you’re sure to fall in love with this charming story of family, growing up, and finding your own way.
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