Little Women Movie Review

Little Women (2019)

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Written by: Greta Gerwig (written for the screen by), Louisa May Alcott (based on the novel by) 
Directed by: Greta Gerwig
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Laura Dern, Timothée Chalamet, Bob Odenkirk, Chris Cooper, Meryl Streep
Rated: PG
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Plot
Jo March reflects on her life, telling the beloved story of the four March sisters, each determined to live life on her own terms.

Verdict
Despite the time period, it's still relevant. This looks at a woman's place in society, whether it's better to marry for money, love, or not at all. With any choice there is a responsibility that affects others. We see this unfold through sisters across the years. Their choices affect each other. Jo strives to be independent, but that has direct consequences for her sister Amy. Throughout this looks at what's expected of a woman contrasted with her lack of independence.
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Review
Based on the 1868 novel, this has been adapted to film many times, most recently in 1994. I haven't read the book nor seen any adaptations.

This opens with Jo (Saoirse Ronan) selling a story "for her friend." The editor is harsh, but buys the story. We get a glimpse of the Marsh sisters Meg (Emma Watson), Amy (Florence Pugh), and Beth (Eliza Scanlen). This jumps back and forth in time, but it's a effective in highlighting story arcs.

Eliza Scanlen, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Saoirse Ronan play Beth, Meg, Amy, Jo

The undercurrent of this is what's expected of women. They're expected to be subservient. Jo frequently defies social norms, a contrast to Meg who likes to attend parties and eventually marries a school teacher for love. It's at one of these parties that Jo befriends Laurie (Timothée Chalamet). It seemed like it would be a love and love lost arc, and that's what happens between them. In the future Laurie behaves poorly at a party, and it certainly implies he and Jo are no longer together.

Jo's drive has been her writings. It's how the movie opens, and it's how she manages to make money. We get some sibling rivalry between Jo and Amy when Amy out of anger burns the pages to Jo's novel. That has disastrous consequences. Pugh does a great job as Amy, her mannerisms completely reflect the two time periods, one where she's a child and the other where she's an adult.

Saoirse Ronan plays Jo Marsh

Laurie is in the middle of the Marsh sisters, and you have to wonder which one he likes. It seems like more than friendship when he eyes them wistfully. In the future Laurie and Amy talk about marriage. Amy states it's an economic proposition for a woman. She owns nothing, it all goes to her husband. The only way to live comfortably is to find someone that can provide. Amy is told by her aunt it's up to her to support the family by marrying rich because Jo is a lost cause and Meg married a poor man out of love. That's a heavy burden for anyone. What is success? Meg goes without and that causes tension in her marriage. Without a rich husband Amy will be unable to support her sisters and mother in the future. Due to her sisters' choices she has to accept an undue burden.

Florence Pugh plays Amy Marsh

This has endured as it's still relevant. The question of what it is to be a woman in a patriarchal society persists because the division between genders persists. There's also the divide between Jo and Amy. Amy feels like she's always second, and because of Jo's choices Amy is told she's limited in her choices.. This explores love and when it's to satisfy self and when it should be out of duty to family. Jo strives to be independent and buck tradition. When she decides that she does want these institutions she's shunned, there's no one still waiting for her. The Marsh family will be okay. Amy did marry rich, but it is someone for which she cares. While Joe remains unattached, she still has her family.

In the end Joe sells her book, though she must concede to marrying off her character, negotiating the rights to own her book at least. The broader implications are that while she can't control everything, at least she can set her own terms.