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Little Women

228 replies

peanutfoldover · 26/12/2019 22:49

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.

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BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 30/12/2019 14:00

Just saw it today with dd(8). Took a while to s3ttle into the chopping back and forth of times but it was well done.

Ronan and Pugh absoloutley stole it for me. And yes yes to it being the first adaptation where I didn't want Jo and Laurie to get together.

bruffin · 30/12/2019 14:15

CONTAIN SPOILER
The Winona Ryder version is the least good of all the films but the BBC version last year was dreadful.
I always loved the middle version but this one was just as good, except for the score which was used in l the previous 3 and is really was lovely not used in this one.
Went with DH and Dd who is 22 . They both really loved it.DD looked so shocked when laurie and Beth got married.
It was beautifully filmed, Saoirse Ronan is brilliant in anything she does, even when she was so young in Atonement.
I think this film was by someone who loved the books, rather than just another remake

Triglesoffy · 30/12/2019 17:00

That’s definitely a spoiler if Laurie and Beth got married.....

Redcrayons · 30/12/2019 17:29

Grin at the spoiler alert. That would have been a plot twist.

My favourite film is the one from the 50s when Elizabeth Taylor was Amy. Jo should definitely have married that Laurie.

ChequerBoard · 30/12/2019 18:11

Red crayons that's my favourite version too. I would have married that Laurie like a shot!

PrivateSpidey · 30/12/2019 18:25

I love the June Allyson/Liz Taylor version but I think this new one trumps it for me. I absolutely loved it.

I agree with PPs, this is the first time either reading or watching that I've felt Jo shouldn't have married Laurie... but maybe that was because this Prof Bhaer was hot!! Grin I mean, you couldn't exactly complain about Gabriel Byrne's Professor of course, but I didn't feel there was the same chemistry between the two as in this version.

This felt so modern and relevant to me, and the framing with the publisher/editor was so well done and thought provoking.

bruffin · 30/12/2019 18:30

Red Crayons Oops
I do love the Liz Taylor version

HarrietM87 · 30/12/2019 18:35

Haven’t seen this yet - really looking forward to it!

But May84 why do you say that Meg is meant to be plain??? In the book she is a classic beauty (unlike Jo whose hair is her “only beauty”) and in contrast to Jo is demure and ladylike. Granted, she’s a bit boring, but she’s certainly not unattractive.

bruffin · 30/12/2019 19:26

Meg is supposed to be the beautiful one, which is why I think Aunt March thought she would be the one to marry well and cuts her off when she marries John.

bruffin · 30/12/2019 19:32

From the book

"Margaret, the eldest of the four, was sixteen, and very pretty, being plump and fair, with large eyes, plenty of soft brown hair, a sweet mouth, and white hands,"

lotusbell · 30/12/2019 21:08

I loved it, want to see it again immediately!

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peanutfoldover · 30/12/2019 21:18

I’m really keen to watch it again too! I’ve never read the book to it took a 2 timeline jumps for me to realise what was happening, so it would be nice to see it again with that forewarned.

And YES to pp who were happy to watch a bloody good film that doesn’t include sex/violence/gore for a change. I can see myself rewatching it several times on a lazy Sunday afternoon, or while poorly tucked up in bed.

Did anyone else this the beach scenes looked exactly like they had jumped out of a famous painting? I have no idea who the artist is but they are beautiful and the film just captured that balmy summer feeling.

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PrivateSpidey · 30/12/2019 21:53

Yes, definitely - they reminded me of this OP!

Little Women
Figgygal · 30/12/2019 23:03

Saw it last night and was glad to see the screening so busy
I’ve never read the book vaguely remember the Winona Ryder film
I loved it I really loved the dynamic between jo and Laurie it was so loving and natural my heart broke for him he’s a fantastic actor

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 30/12/2019 23:26

Just back from sewieng it and I LOVED it,I'd like to watch it again.

Downton57 · 30/12/2019 23:30

Loved it. And I thought the ending was terrific. Lousia May Alcott didn't want Jo to get married at the end and was persuaded/forced by her publisher. This version made it clear that getting published and opening her school was Jo's idea of living happily ever after. The scene with her watching the book getting made was gorgeous.

Soawesome · 30/12/2019 23:33

I loved it.
I hated the book growing up (all just too good and prissy) but absolutely loved this version.
Jo and Amy were so well done. DD loved it too.
Can't wait to see it again...

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 30/12/2019 23:43

I loved the ending too, she had her book and that's what she wanted. Perfect.

mammmamia · 30/12/2019 23:51

Just saw it and loved it. The book printing scene was beautiful. Makes you want to go out and buy some old books immediately

5foot5 · 31/12/2019 00:14

Saw this today with adult DD and we both loved it.
Was originally taken aback by the way much of it was told in flashback but I thought it worked.

Florence Pugh being 12 year old Amy was a bit of a stretch but she was excellent as adult Amy. Saorsia Ronan was outstanding.

Does Beth die in this version?
Well yes. That is what Beth does? You aren't the lady on our row today are you who became so distraught when Beth died I thought she was going to start rocking back and forth and keening. TBH I searched from tearing up myself to giggling because the reaction was so OTT. Then I felt bad in case the lady's reaction was because she had bee triggered due to some personal tragedy. Most distracting. I mean, did she not know that was going to happen? I thought everyone knew Beth died. Even DH who has never read the book knows Beth dies

Piggywaspushed · 31/12/2019 07:40

It's a long long time since I read the books but I am pretty sure all film adaptations are actually of Little Women and Good Wives combined. Pretty sure that is how Beth's death is actually included in the films as I think she dies in Good Wives.

MsTSwift · 31/12/2019 07:46

Loved it as did dds and their friends 11-13

If being picky Jos husband was too handsome he’s supposed to be older and unattractive. Also the mum was too nice she’s quite stern in the book. Nit picking though would totally recommend and as long as a child can concentrate that long no reason not to take

Loveislandaddict · 31/12/2019 07:49

Just reading the book, and loving it.

Professor Bauer is not meant to be hot, but interesting in looks and an older character.

Has anyone seen the 1978 version! Captain Kirk (William Shatner) plays the Professor. It’s a lovely version - a mini series.

Hepsibar · 31/12/2019 07:59

It was lovely and I found I enjoyed the film more as it went on. It's partic good if you have read the book(s) and seen films made in previous era to compare how the story is followed and each era's take on the story.

PerspicaciaTick · 31/12/2019 08:10

I thought it was gorgeous. It looked wonderful ( especially the scenes shot like impressionist paintings) and I loved the costumes. And I didn't find the story tweaks distracting or out of place. I cried a bit, 16yo DD sobbed from the first Christmas "magic" and DH and DS were mildly bemused. Perfect.