Set during the American Civil War and after, the story of four young sisters - Jo, Meg, Amy and Beth - their lives and loves, triumphs and heartbreaks and growing up.
There have been several adaptations of Louisa May Alcott's classic novel with the 1949 (directed by Mervyn Leroy and starring June Allyson, Elizabeth Taylor, Janet Leigh, Mary Astor and Peter Lawford) and 1994 (starring Winona Ryder, Claire Danes, Kirsten Dunst, Christian Bale, Susan Sarandon, Gabriel Byrne and Eric Stoltz) versions being the best among them. Both were excellent, with the 1949 version to the fore (a 9/10 for me, vs 8/10 for the 1994 version).
With this adaptation, writer-director Greta Gerwig (whose previous film was the wonderful 'Lady Bird') does her best to create something new, using a non-linear storyline and some departures from the novel. Ultimately, however, while still quite enjoyable it is not in the same league as the 1949 and 1994 versions.
The non-linearity - jumping back and forth between the women in the adult years to their younger years - while novel, detracts from the plot. It is difficult to build any momentum or engagement due to the back-and-forthness. In addition, it wrecks any intrigue regarding relationships and other developments in the sisters' younger lives, as you can see how it pans out.
The film also doesn't have the warmth that the other two films had. While the bond and camaraderie between the sisters is reasonably well demonstrated, it just feels a bit hollow.
This said, it's a decent telling of the story with some solid performances, especially from Saoirse Ronan as Jo and Florence Pugh as Amy. However, I found Timothee Chalamet, as Laurie, a tad irritating and Laura Dern seemed miscast as Marmee.
Very uplifting, emotional ending which ties everything together quite nicely.
There have been several adaptations of Louisa May Alcott's classic novel with the 1949 (directed by Mervyn Leroy and starring June Allyson, Elizabeth Taylor, Janet Leigh, Mary Astor and Peter Lawford) and 1994 (starring Winona Ryder, Claire Danes, Kirsten Dunst, Christian Bale, Susan Sarandon, Gabriel Byrne and Eric Stoltz) versions being the best among them. Both were excellent, with the 1949 version to the fore (a 9/10 for me, vs 8/10 for the 1994 version).
With this adaptation, writer-director Greta Gerwig (whose previous film was the wonderful 'Lady Bird') does her best to create something new, using a non-linear storyline and some departures from the novel. Ultimately, however, while still quite enjoyable it is not in the same league as the 1949 and 1994 versions.
The non-linearity - jumping back and forth between the women in the adult years to their younger years - while novel, detracts from the plot. It is difficult to build any momentum or engagement due to the back-and-forthness. In addition, it wrecks any intrigue regarding relationships and other developments in the sisters' younger lives, as you can see how it pans out.
The film also doesn't have the warmth that the other two films had. While the bond and camaraderie between the sisters is reasonably well demonstrated, it just feels a bit hollow.
This said, it's a decent telling of the story with some solid performances, especially from Saoirse Ronan as Jo and Florence Pugh as Amy. However, I found Timothee Chalamet, as Laurie, a tad irritating and Laura Dern seemed miscast as Marmee.
Very uplifting, emotional ending which ties everything together quite nicely.