Sisters on the March
Great version of the classic tale
LITTLE WOMEN
This joyous, moving and funny adaptation of the much-loved literary classic bursts with wit, warmth, beauty and intelligence – and has a cast to match. You don’t need to have read the book or seen one of the many previous cinema or TV versions to enjoy this one, as it’s thoroughly accessible, fresh and modern in its attitude, while being faithful and handsome in its period setting.
It’s a sparkling coming-of-age period drama which explores the lives of the March sisters in the aftermath of the US Civil War. A fabulous cast sees Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Eliza
Scanlen and Florence
Pugh as the sisters, whose rapport rings remarkably true.
I’ve got four sisters and have never before seen on screen a more honest and accurate depiction of sisterly love, camaraderie, rivalry and affection, while also maintaining their very distinct personalities.
Teen pin-up Timothee Chalamet plays the local love interest and heir to a large fortune, and is great in a role where he is often required to be unlikeable but is still able to generate a couple of big laughs.
Laura Dern is soulful and quietly warm, wise and wonderful as their mother, while Meryl Streep as wealthy widow Aunt March is an imperious matriarch even Maggie
A sparkling coming-of-age period drama
Smith in Downton Abbey might shrink from taking on.
Written and directed by Greta Gerwig with authority, confidence and panache, it’s a triumph which consolidates her position in the top rank of contemporary filmmakers.
It also deftly explores the themes in the book which are still sadly relevant today, such as access to education, impulse buying and glass ceilings for women in the workplace.
It should see Oscar nominations all round, and the casting agent definitely deserves some kind of award. Plus, the production design, costumes, editing and cinematography are also all worthy of recognition.
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It consolidates Gerwig’s position in the top rank of contemporary filmmakers