Civil War servant

Greta Gerwig’s refreshing remake of Louisa May Alcott’s classic tale proves any doubters wrong

LITTLE WOMEN

Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Timothée Chalamet, Laura Dern, Meryl Streep

I admit my first reaction upon hearing Greta Gerwig had directed a new version of Louisa May Alcott’s post US Civil War coming- of- age classic was, “What, another one?” But a whole generation of little women ( and men) has grown up since it was last tackled on the big screen in 1994, and this bright, loving interpretation makes you feel the difference: the 19th- century setting may remain, but the new film is infused with a particular brand of fresh, forthright Generation- Z feminism, while its natural, pastel- hued look feels unexpectedly contemporary. Stepping into shoes previously filled by Winona Ryder and Katharine Hepburn, Saoirse Ronan heads a lively all- star ensemble with breezy, disarming confidence, while her chemistry with a deftly cast Timothée Chalamet will have teenage hearts of all ages sighing. There’s life in the old book yet. 26 December