The same applies to film adaptations of classic literature as it does to blockbuster adaptations of comic books: the risk of failure is huge. Too often there are already adaptations that have been partly successful, partly less successful. The expectations of viewers who have a real passion for their literary heroes, whether Elizabeth Bennet from "Pride and Prejudice" or the Spider-Man "Spider-Man" are usually too high. Director-child prodigy Greta Gerwig (36, "Lady Bird") nevertheless accepted the challenge of re-staging the children's book classic "Little Women" – with success, as it turns out.
Popular novel template
Before Gerwig took on Louisa May Alcott's (1832-1888) literary material, several other filmmakers tried to impressively put the work on the screen. "Little Women" supposedly made its cinema debut in Great Britain in 1917. However, the fabric is missing. In 1933 the first known version was created under the German title "Four Sisters" with Katharine Hepburn (1907-2003) and Joan Bennett (1910-1990) in the leading roles. 1949 followed "Little Brave Jo", a second attempt with Hollywood icon Elizabeth Taylor (1932-2011) and Janet Leigh (1927-2004).
For the last time, director Gillian Armstrong (69) directed the material 26 years ago under the title "Betty and her sisters". STARRING 1994: Winona Ryder (48, "Beetlejuice"), Kirsten Dunst (37, "Spider-Man") and Claire Danes (40, "William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet"). Furthermore, a two-part American version for television was created in 1978.
That's what "Little Women" is about
In America in the middle of the 19th century, four young women lived their lives according to their own ideas. In doing so, they have to overcome major social obstacles and cope with the blows of fate. "Little Women" follows the different lives of the March sisters Jo (Saoirse Ronan), Meg (Emma Watson), Amy (Florence Pugh) and Beth (Eliza Scanlen) at a time when the opportunities for women were limited. Narrated from the perspective of Jo March, the film is based on the classic literature as well as on the personal writings of the author Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888) himself.
Ronan, Pugh and Chalamet in top form
Meryl Streep (70, "Kramer vs. Kramer") and Laura Dern (52, "Marriage Story") have many years of Hollywood experience, which is why the high acting level in "Little Women" is not surprising. In their supporting roles of the judgmental, patronizing aunt and the loving, caring mother, the two once again convince across the board. Greta Gerwig's production is not supported by Hollywood stars, but by the younger generation – above all Saoirse Ronan (25, "Maria Stuart – Queen of Scotland") and Florence Pugh (24, "Fighting with My Family").
Despite her young age, the Irishwoman Ronan has three Oscar nominations. Most recently she was in the race for her portrayal in the film "Lady Bird", which was also directed by Greta Gerwig. The New York-born artist just received her fourth Oscar nomination for the role of progressive Jo March in "Little Women" – and rightly so. She brilliantly represents the rebellious girl who, contrary to the usual conventions of her time, is striving for a career as an author. The viewer can absolutely feel Jo's inner conflict between the desired independence and the felt loneliness.
Jo's younger sister Amy is just as convincing. Newcomer Florence Pugh was in for a big bang when she received her first Oscar nomination in the "Best Supporting Actress" category for the role of envious but loving Amy March. The 24-year-old British woman from Oxford shows with her performance in "Little Women" that one should keep an eye on her in the future.
And then there is Timothée Chalamet (24), who already gave the cinema goers wet eyes with his soulful portrayals in "Call Me By Your Name" (2017) and "Beautiful Boy" (2018). As a wealthy, lovable, but aimless neighbor boy Laurie, the American-French actor gradually wins the heart of several March sisters – and that of the audience. Anyone who has not yet reserved a place in their hearts for Chalamet will almost certainly do so after seeing "Little Women".
Conclusion
The three-man team Gerwig, Ronan and Chalamet had a surprise success with "Lady Bird" in 2017. The tragicomedy, loosely based on the director's own life, received two Golden Globes and five Oscar nominations. As a result, Gerwig, who was originally only supposed to adapt the script for "Little Women", also got the job in the director's chair. Nobody should regret her obligation, especially since Gerwig uses the built-in jumps in time to successfully tell the known story in a different sequence and thus breathe new life into it.
"Little Women" convinces with a consistently brilliant cast, an interesting narrative style and the grandiose musical accompaniment by Alexandre Desplat (58), who last received an Academy Award for "Shape of Water – The Whisper of Water" in 2018. Filmmaker Greta Gerwig manages, contrary to the expectations of many, to skillfully re-stage the classic literature without the touching, sometimes tragic, but thoroughly heartwarming story of the four March sisters losing some of their old magic. The makers of the film have already been rewarded with a total of six Oscar nominations.