“Little Women”

By Megan Bormann

Greta Gerwig’s new motion picture hit the big screen on December 25, 2019. Starring Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, Timothee Chalamet, and Meryl Streep, Gerwig’s retelling of Louisa May Alcott’s classic tale goes in a modern and feminist direction. 

The casting of the characters reflected the thoughtfulness and brilliance of Gerwig’s interpretation. Saoirse Ronan’s performance as the strong-willed and creative Josephine March brought a new kind of liveliness and ferocity to the character. One cannot forget Meryl Streep as Aunt March, bringing a dry, comedic twist to a character who is often represented as a mean old woman. Streep brings heart and redemption to a woman who is just trying to make sure the March sisters thrive in the lives they choose to make for themselves. 

One of the most notable performances in the film was Florence Pugh’s portrayal of Amy March. Pugh was able to take a character who is often portrayed in a negative way and make her into a character that audiences could empathize with. 

Instead of telling the story in chronological order, Gerwig flashes back and forth between the past and present. Through the film’s lighting effects, the audience was able to distinguish between the glowy, golden memories of the past and the gloomy, harsh reality of the present.

Although Gerwig’s film is not the first adaptation of Alcott’s creation, it is refreshingly modern and provides the audience with new ideas and female role models to look up to.