Let me start saying that I've seen pretty much every single adaptation of Little Women (both movies and tclv shows) and I'm not one of the many that prefer the 1994 version above them all (despide I believe it's a masterpiece).
I went to see this movie because I wanted to see what "new things" this version would have brought also hoping in more feminist signature (which it did have partially) however it didn't score quite right..
Let's start with the obvious: casting and characters.
This movie shows how a cast packed with massive talented actors/actresses doesn't guarantee success. Individually they are awesome but together don't really manage to create the atmosphere and transport this movie must to have!
Ronan is incredible in her own way but her accent disrupt the magic you are supposed to feel. She was a pure talent however doesn't score a 10/10 in a movie where she must fit. This is not A movie. This is THE movie where she has to become someone else in every single detail.
Same goes for Emma. But worse. She struggles to deliver any pathos and performance that Meg deserves. Megs is not that woman. She doesn't look like a post civil war medium/high class first child woman. She doesn't act like it.. She doesn't struggle between been like other girls but with no resources. She is just.. there.
Beth character was poorly written so I can't comment for the cast. Except for the age looking which -like for ALL characters is just wrong.
Amy was the best gaining in this movie. She is the only character that provides more than any other movie and with a kick that deserves to be mentioned. She is the Amy of the book (but miss a bit the frivolity we all learnt to hate/love).
Mrs March showed no love or attachment for her girls. Really doesn't feel like she would die for her girls. There is no Matriarchal leading effect. She is supposed to be the northern star for these girls who struggle to grow in a changing but limited society, however she is as useless as their father (which appears for 2 seconds and that's all).
Teddy.. oh boy.. teddy..
What a shame. Timothy is a great performer. But he is not teddy. He is supposed to be strong, stubborn more than Jo. Here he looks more like her younger cousin confused with his gender. He doesn't look like he wants Jo. Looks like he wants to be one of the Little Women!
The script based on flashbacks here is the biggest mistake. The novel and all movies play on one key winning piece: you grow with them, you learn to know them, you love them and suffer with them because the story is chronological! Please don't show me how they look in the future if I haven't seen them growing. This takes away the attachment. Doesn't make you crying like a baby when Beth dies. Doesn't make you understand why they do what they do. Doesn't even make you understand what's going on! (Wait is this when Beth Nearly dies or when she dies for real?.. no really.. wait.. let me look at Jo's hair so I can figure this out.. and bang you detached yourself from the emotional element of the moment)
Even without the back and forth I doubt I would have cried for Beth cause she was not existing. Is true Beth is the sister that wants to stay home, the introvert one but please give her the storyline she has!! Give her the role in the family she has. Show me how she gets Scarlett fever and why. Show me how she fades away breaking Jo's heart.
The additional scene by the beach was a pleasant addition. I loved the emotional impact of the moment when the two sister hold each other while the wind blows and Jo tells Beth "I won't let it happen".
Final biggest disappointment was the lack of post civil war atmosphere and culture. These girls were too modern. Act out of time and disconnected by what in the real world happens (didn't help the fact that Jo's life in New York was barely shown).
There is no high society in decadence with rising concerns like slavery and appearance vs virtue.
Dresses were alright but dialogue and manners were out of place.
Loved the more space given to the struggle of being a woman in a changing but difficult time. Loved Amy bringing this up as well (not just Jo).
Loved the funny back and forth with the editor and the creative process of Jo coming up with the book.
Overall this remains a decent movie if book and previous adaptation (of which this one copies many exact sentences) are taken out. With it, well.. it's just mediocre. I scored it 6 because some great performances and because the story is what it is and some additions were very good.
However this is not a movie that will remembered as THE Little Women
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