The 2019 film Little Women is written and directed by Greta Gerwig. The story, which takes place in the 1860s, is an adaptation of the book Little Women, written by Louisa May Alcott in 1868, and details a coming of age story set during the American Civil War. Jo March lives in New York as a writer, while her sister, Amy March, lives in Paris and studies painting. Their oldest sister Meg March lives in their hometown of Massachusetts, and is married to a poor school teacher. The three sisters come together to see their sister Beth March, as she battles an illness. The film jumps back and forth between childhood and womanhood, and takes the viewer on a journey of growing up, loss, and love. 

Jo March is played by Irish actress Saoirse Ronan. Ronan gives great depth to an already well established character. Her interpretation of Jo is realistic, and relatable to viewers. British actress Florence Pugh plays the role of Amy March. Pugh, along with Gerwig’s writing, give three dimensions to the character of Amy, whereas other adaptations show only her immature side. Pugh’s Amy March is well rounded, mature and immature when needed, and shows a great range of emotions. Meg March is played by British actress Emma Watson. While Watson’s character portrayal was well done and showed the character’s warmth, Watson’s american accent could have been improved upon. Beth March is played by Australian actress Eliza Scanlen, who does the character of Beth just in her portrayal, giving her just the right amount of shyness, and of openness. Other characters include Theodore Lawrence, played by Timothee Chalamet, Marmee March played by Laura Dern, Aunt March played by Meryl Streep, and Father March played by Bob Odenkirk. 

The movie is well scripted, with the screenplay/script being written by Greta Gerwig. The dialogue for each of the characters is believable, and thoughtful. 

The back and forth between childhood and womanhood very effectively displays the differences in youth and adults, and shows the viewer the parallels in the lives of the March sisters specifically. Gerwig cleverly changes the colour tone between childhood, and womanhood. She also actually changes the ending from Alcott’s original book; however, the change is very well thought out, and does not change the true ending of the story. 

Personally, the 2019 adaptation of Little Women by Greta Gerwig is one of my all time favourite films, from the film’s colours, to the new depth given to certain characters, to iconic monologues. Similar films are Pride and Prejudice (2005), which is another classic book to film adaptation, or Lady Bird (2017), which is also written and directed by Greta Gerwig, and stars both Soairse Ronan and Timothee Chalamet.