Note: This article contains spoilers of the novel as well as the movie Little Women.
“Girls are so queer you never know what they mean. They say no when they mean yes, and drive a man out of his wits just for the fun of it.”
The book-to-movie adaptation of Little Women was, by far, one of the most anticipated movies of 2019––and for good reason! Louisa May Alcott’s novel is one of the few that is truly enjoyed by almost everyone who reads it, even over 100 years later. Especially for young girls and older women, Little Women beautifully demonstrates the depth of women and how there is more than one way to be “strong” and “independent.”
Personally, I knew that I wanted to see the movie as soon as I saw the cast. Saorise Ronan, Emma Watson, Timothee Chalamet, Laura Dern, and other major actors all sharing the same screen? Sign me up, please!
Since I strongly believe in reading the book before seeing the movie, I spent Christmas Break enveloped in the timeless pages of this book. (In case it wasn’t obvious, I loved it). I finished it the day before I saw the movie, so the details were fresh in my mind.
Before I dive into my feelings about the movie, I just wanted to make a small disclaimer. I am fully aware that in any book adaptation, elements have to be changed because not everything transfers between mediums. I went into watching Little Women knowing this, and being okay with it. With that in mind, there are certain things I believe the movie missed out on.
Now. With that out of the way, let’s unwrap my feelings.
- Con: Amy and Laurie’s relationship.
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Before you come for me, no, I do not hate that Amy and Laurie are endgame.
I think whenever anyone first reads Little Women, there’s the universal “What?” when Jo rejects Laurie, and then the “Whoa!” when Amy and Laurie fall for each other. But when I read more about exactly why Louisa May Alcott chose to do so, I understood it better, and I actually have a lot of respect towards her for sticking to her story.
My issue was not with the fact that Amy and Laurie ended up together. It was how the movie executed it.
First off, Amy did not grow up with a crush on Laurie. She, like the other March sisters, always looked at him as a brotherly figure, never romantic. The movie’s addition of this extra caveat diminishes a huge part of the coming-of-age theme. The entire point of Amy falling in love with Laurie was to show how she grew to love him, once she matured and he saw her not as a little sister, but as a mature and beautiful woman. The lifelong crush took that away.
Furthermore, I hated how they made Laurie not only forget about his plans with Amy, but also have him appear to the party drunk. Alcott’s intention with Laurie was to show what a man would be if he was influenced by strong and morally upright women. I understand that the movie was just trying to add in a little drama, but I honestly think it was a major injustice to Laurie’s character.
Lastly, the way Amy and Laurie confessed their feelings to each other was so disappointing when compared to the wholesome simplicity of how it was done in the novel. Again, I realize that this was for dramatic effect, but it was so perfect in the book, I couldn’t help but be upset over how impulsive and rash it was in the movie.
All-in-all, I hated the way Amy and Laurie’s relationship was portrayed. It could have been executed much better.
- Pro: Cinematography, wardrobe, and the general aesthetic.
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Right from the first scene, as Amy rode with Aunt March on the carriage and called for Laurie, I knew this was going to be a visual masterpiece.
First off, the wardrobe was perfection. Especially between the sisters, everything they wore fit their personalities so well. The outfits were even telling to the sentiments of various scenes; what comes to mind is the outfit Meg wore when she told John she had spent too much money on fabric. Her youthful glow faded with the gray, drab outfit she wore. And maybe I’m biased, but Timothee Chalamet’s entire look was…well, let’s just say he may have been born in the wrong era.
The cinematography was absolutely gorgeous. Everything from the scenes at the beach to Amy and Laurie in Europe to Laurie’s confession to Jo on the hill was beautiful. No matter how anyone feels about the general execution of the movie, the stunning visuals are undeniable.
- Con: Not enough Friedrich!
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If only movies could be longer…
Aside from Beth, Friedrich is the most wholesome character in Little Women. He was just such a nice guy. He befriended Jo when she left everything she knew to go to New York and was always supportive of her. And he’s good with kids.
So of course it was upsetting that Friedrich’s only appearances in the movie were at the beginning and end. For people who haven’t read the book, Jo and Friedrich’s relationship seemed rushed and out of the blue. It really was quite the loss, especially since their romantic climax in the rain was so perfect. I really think that if the movie added even just five minutes of Jo and Friedrich spending time together, it would have made their relationship seem much more genuine and organic.
- Pro: Fast-paced dialogue.
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One of my favorite things about book-to-movie adaptations in general is hearing how lines are delivered, rather than reading them in your own voice, at your own pace. This was, without a doubt, one of my favorite things about Little Women.
A defining attribute of the story in general is the family dynamic, especially between the sisters. When I think about how I talk to my family, the first word that comes to mind is messy. People talk over each other, everyone is either interrupting someone else or being interrupted, there are ten different conversations happening. The movie really honed in on this, and it made the story that much more realistic and endearing.
- Con: Jo’s regret over rejecting Laurie.
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Two weeks since I’ve seen the movie, and I’m still mad about this.
Greta Gerwig really muddied the waters as to how Jo felt about Laurie, and this was epitomized by Jo writing him a letter saying that she regretted her decision to not be with him. Not only that, but the scene was intertwined with shots of Amy and Laurie cementing their relationship.
That. Never. Should. Have. Happened.
Jo never had romantic feelings for Laurie. There was a point when she felt very lonely, and she thought that maybe she made a mistake. However, this was debunked quickly because she realized that she did not truly love him. Due to that fact, there was no tension between Jo and Amy over Laurie because Amy knew this.
The movie’s change was upsetting because Laurie’s unrequited love is such a major part of the coming-of-age theme. For there to be any idea of Jo and Laurie’s lack of romance having to do with poor timing is a dishonor to Alcott’s writing.
- Pro: Jo and Friedrich’s co-ed boarding school.
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Who would have thought that a change in the movie would actually make me happy?
I love the book, but perhaps its fatal flaw was that the school Jo opened was only for boys. Little Women is not as explicitly feminist as people tend to believe it is––even so, this was still a pretty unpleasant surprise. Though Jo was a tomboy and always seemed to identify herself more with boys, she was surrounded by amazing women, so it doesn’t really make sense that she would open a boy-exclusive school.
Therefore, I was more than satisfied with Greta Gerwig’s decision to have Jo open a co-ed school. Not only was it more fitting for today’s demographic, it just felt right for Jo’s character to do so.
Overall, I think it’s safe to say that as a fan of the book, I was content with the movie. There was a lot that was really good and beautiful about it. What keeps me from saying that I was “happy” with it is that, though there are not too many errors, the few that are present are too glaring for me to ignore.
Even so, it is an enjoyable movie. The acting is fantastic, the setting is gorgeous, and it is woven together beautifully. You definitely won’t waste your time watching it.
I leave you with a quote from one of the most emotional—and one of the best—scenes of the movie:
“I just feel like women…they have minds, and they have souls as well as just hearts, and they’ve got ambition, and they’ve got talent, as well as just beauty. And I’m so sick of people saying that love is all a woman is fit for, I’m so sick of it!”