Anyone familiar with the book (or movies) knows all of Little Women's major plot points and this film hits them all, though it changes things up by showing a lot of the events in flashbacks. This worked for me though, as I mentioned in my review of the 2011 adaptation of Jane Eyre, I can see how this approach might confuse someone who didn't already know the story. Indeed, one of my sisters was mildly annoyed because, every time there was a flashback or forward, the couple sitting next to her would have a whispered exchange, with the woman explaining to the man what was happening. Apparently the dude wasn't up to speed on Alcott's works... shocker.
The cast was also very solid, with many turning in fine performances- Saoirse Ronan is great as Jo, Emma Watson a fine Meg, and Eliza Scanlon is a sympathetic Beth but not sickeningly sweet, which is always a danger with that character. Florence Pugh was particularly good as Amy, making her seem flawed but very relatably human. This film contrasts the character differences- and outlooks- between Jo and Amy more and, I think, more effectively than other versions. Meryl Streep was very good as Aunt March, and this is coming from someone who frequently finds Streep annoying. I went back and forth on Laura Dern as Marmee, sometimes liking the character and sometimes finding her just a wee bit too hippie-ish for my liking. Timothee Chalamet is also fine as Laurie, though I couldn't decide- and still haven't- if I liked his portrayal of the character more or less than Christian Bale's. One portrayal which I really did appreciate was that of Mr. Laurence, played by an almost unrecognisable Chris Cooper. The character is expanded and very effective in this version; it's very moving when, hearing Beth playing the piano once used by his deceased daughter, the elderly man sits on the stairs out of sight, quietly listening. I also liked the portrayal of Professor Bhaer by Louis Garrel more than that of Gabriel Byrne in the 1994 film. Though he gives a perfectly fine performance in the role I've never particularly liked Byrne in it, though I'm not sure I could come up with a valid reason for this negative feeling... I just don't like him as the professor.
Another aspect of the film which annoyed me was the method used to portray people writing letters. Instead of showing the character writing- or reading- the letter and having a voice over of what it says, or showing the actual words on the page, the director made the odd decision to have the character face the screen and speak their letter as a monologue directly to the audience. This happens at least three times during the movie and took me right out of it... breaking the fourth wall like this seemed weird and distracting and affected.
All in all, however, this is a very good adaptation of Little Women and I enjoyed watching- and discussing- it with my own sisters. Greta Gerwig (the director) is to be applauded for her work here, both for what she's done and also what she refrained from doing. Given the trash we've been getting in the form of film remakes recently, I was a bit afraid that this might turn out to be another feminist screed of 'women morally superior, men inferior (and evil/stupid)'. Thankfully, this was not the case. This movie doesn't ignore the difficulties and unfairness faced by women in this time period- indeed, it addresses them clearly and directly on numerous occasions. But it also doesn't make the people in the story into caricatures; the women have their strengths, their virtues, and their triumphs. But they also have their flaws, faults and failures and the same is true of the male characters. Essentially, the characters of both sexes in this film are human: well meaning, struggling to do the best they can in an imperfect, messy, often cruel but sometimes wonderful world. I also appreciate the importance placed on family here, and the need for it in both good times and bad... people you love to share in the triumphs and uphold one another during the tragedies. One moment which stands out for me is when Jo, who has refused Laurie's offer of marriage and moved to New York to pursue her dream of being a writer, returns home for Beth's final illness. After her sister's death, she confesses to Marmee that she's having second thoughts about everything, because she's horribly lonely, separated from family and friends... ambition is a cold companion. Contrary to a lot of modern narratives, this film at least introduces the idea that most people can't have everything they want: there are trade-offs and sacrifices which must be made. Everyone has regrets and roads not travelled, but that is life and not a cause for bitterness. It's great, of course, if one can fulfill one's dreams and be wildly successful at it, but if the cost is losing those you love- and who love you- well, who wants to end up like Aunt March, old and alone, having to pay people- even family- to spend time with you.