Little Women

[peanutfoldover]

Did anyone else watch this gorgeous film today? I absolutely bloody loved it and it had stayed with me all day. I have never read the book I must admit so cannot remark on that, but blimey what a fabulous story.

I think, from the review I heard (Kermode & Mayo podcast) that they've brought in elements of the second book, 'Good Wives', which is partly why there's the time 'jumps'. (Apparently in the US when the book was published, both books were released as one - it was only in the UK that they were published as two separate books).

Thanks meandyou I can’t wait to take my DDs to see it.

Thanks meandyou :)

I am debating on whether it will be too advanced for my 7 year old daughters? They can sit through 3 hours at the theatre no problem.

All the films have Good Wives in them. Little Women, volume one ends at Meg's engagement. Volume two is sometimes called Good Wives. However lots of books have both volumes and this is called 'Little Women'.(I've read little Women (book one) and had the intention to read Good Wives, Little Men and Jo's Boys forever!!)

Anyway, I liked the film think I might absorbed it more before I make a call on it. The chopped up story line upset me at first (not how it's written in the book horror!!). Though compared to other films I really liked the fact John Brooke and the Professor were attractive men (well more attractive and less wishy washy). Not convinced by take on Mr Laurence or casting of Aunt March.

I loved it.

I read the book and the sequels many times when I was a teenager and have seen the previous films.

I was disappointed by Beth and somewhat by Meg though.

Didnt mind Meg, but Florence Pugh really won me over as Amy.

One thing that confused me was the ending where she was discussing the ending of the book with the publisher. Didnt quite understand the suggestion of the change and them her actually changing it being intermingled with a repeat of her running to the Professor. Almost like she had been dictating the story to the published and we saw an alternative ending to the one we almost saw (in other words it hadn't happened to her - Jo had made it all up.)

Can't figure out if it was a nod to the fact Little Women is semi-autobiographical.

Funnily enough contrary to a PP I though the saccharine part of this film were more saccharine than the other films or book (as much as I've read of it!), especially the end with the school.

So ok for a 9 yo DD then you think? She’s only read the abridged version.

Yes, brought my 9 year old son. Had to explain time jumps initially but he got it. Loved it so much but bring tissues!

I saw this yesterday. I did like it, all the important bits of the story were there and done beautifully, but the jumping was just too sudden for me.

I thought all the sisters were portrayed well, but because the same actors played them as both younger and older, this made the jumping back and forth in time even more confusing. Laurie looked 17 throughout.

I liked the addition of the bits at the end which made it seem like Jo had written it. Yes, it wasn't true to the book, but it was a nice touch.

Good overall, but I fear that someone not familiar with the story already would have been confused, albeit charmed at the same time.

Just back from seeing it - I loved it! And that is saying something as I've hated all the other recent versions. I liked the back and forth storytelling, it brought something new and I found Amy's character much more likeable than before.

Is Florence Pugh very short (Amy?). I find her odd o look at. Like she has a big heard and short arms! Which kind of worked for making her seem 13 but her voice is very deep!

I thought it was ravishing to look at and Rona was very good. I managed to be interested in Meg (usually yawn) probably because she got to snog James Norton! I always liked Mr Brooke more, mind.

I actually liked the bit with the editor at the end who said aloud what everyone thinks about Laurie!

I did think Timothee Chalamet was too young looking really.

The guy playing Mr Laurence was fab : I cried in every scene he was in.

It is a bit saccharine : but it should be really. The scenes with the poor family were rather underdrawn compared to last year's BBC adaptation.

Peanutfoldover, I haven’t seen the movie, but I did read the book. Jo is my favorite character, but that probably is the case for most people. Because it is not that common, I noticed that the movie was directed by a woman, Greta Gerwig. I did read two articles on the movie. The first is from Vanity Fair and has the title “Little Women Has a Little Man Problem” with the subtitle “Many male awards-season voters are skipping Greta Gerwig’s adaptation, apparently because they think it’s not for guys.” And the second is by Kristy Eldredge and is from The New York Times, with the title “Men Are Dismissing ‘Little Women.’ What a Surprise” and a subtitle “The rejection of the latest screen adaptation of the beloved novel echoes a long-held sentiment toward women-centered narratives.”

ChequerBoard, I did see “Brooklyn” and enjoyed it. In fact, as you brought it up I may see it a second time. Saorise Ronan was very good in it.

Tom,

I'm seeing it tomorrow at our new cinema I'm town, can't wait, I love Saoirse Ronan! She also excellent in Hanna by the way.
Not sure why I am so keen to see it as the story is a classic and I don't really 'do' the classics!

Laurie was awful casting. When he was supposed to be an adult he looked even more ridiculous- small boy in a oversized suit.

Florence Pugh is about 5' 3" I think - like me. She's the same body shape as me too. I loves her. You have to take back all mean things you said about her. 😐

Timothee looks like a stick of bleached driftwood.

Does Beth die in this version?

Yes. Is there a version she doesn't?

It wasn't meant to be mean , honest! It's nice to see a short actress fro a change!

I also am 5ft 3! I just don't have that build. I do think she is pretty!

I loved Florence Pugh in this. She makes sense of Amy who could be an irritating character - here she is irritating but also understandable. I thought it was a great performance.

All the best people are 5' 3". 😁

Problem with being a shorty and an apple shape is it makes look you a bit dumpy even when you're not.

I've currently put on weight and now look like Tweedledum and Tweedledee's older sister!!

I thought Amy was the standout after Jo : but I guess she is in the book. Meg is always going to be a hard role to make interesting and Brooke was only made interesting by being sexed up (let alone what they did to Friedrich! Phwoarr!)

I was actually really impressed by Eliza Scanlen (Beth). That's a tough role and I think she did it really well.

I follow a man on Twitter (Film teacher) who loved Little Women and raves about it constantly,

I thought al the sisters were extremely well cast, and au agree Florence Pugh was excellent as Amy, a well judged performance that brought layers to a character that could easily be one-dimensional and hard to like.

I really hope this movie doesn't get overlooked at awards time. It's easily the best film I've seen in years. Recreating and breathing new life such a much loved classic is so hard to pull off and this accomplished it so well. I hope it has brought this gorgeous book to a new generation of little women.

Loved it except for the last scene, which was too sickly. Ronan and Pugh were outstanding.

I've just come home from watching it and absolutely loved it. I was a bit taken aback by it starting in the middle but by the end I thought it worked (assuming you already knew the story). I wasn't convinced about Marmee initially but she grew on me. I wasn't sure about young Amy but adult Amy was utterly perfect, bossing Laurie around and being the queen of everything. Jo was wonderful. Meg was okay. I barely noticed Beth (which is what she would have wanted, in fairness). Adult Laurie was far, far too young.

I loved the visuals - the costumes, the sets, the scenery - everything was beautiful. I'd love to see the same people tackle the other books.