It seems like everyone is into Little Women adaptations these days! So, it wasn’t a surprise when a contemporary one popped up. Honestly, I didn’t expect much from it at first. For starters, it’s an indie film with what seemed like a limited budget. Plus, the new writer/director Clare Niederpruem didn’t have much experience. To be frank, I thought it might turn out to be one of those lower-quality faith-based films with bad acting and writing. But, I was in for a pleasant surprise. This version stays true to Louisa May Alcott’s book, even though it’s set in modern times. Niederpruem really showed she’s a filmmaker to keep an eye on.
In this modern retelling, we follow the lives of the March sisters: Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. Here, Jo is an aspiring young adult author who loves writing genre fiction. But no one is taking her novel seriously, especially not Professor Bhaer, who agrees to help her edit and improve her book but clearly has other motives. The story moves between flashbacks and the present day, showing how the sisters grow from children into women. Their strong bond helps them navigate all the challenges they face, including the ultimate tragedy.
What impressed me the most was how faithfully this adaptation sticks to the original classic by Alcott and how smoothly it’s set in today’s world. It shows just how timeless this story is. The cast did a great job, with Lea Thompson standing out as Marmee. The script was solid, featuring believable and heartfelt dialogue. All the key plot points and emotional beats are there: the sisterly bond, the struggle to stay moral in today’s world, Jo and Laurie’s deep friendship, and even the father being away at war.
Still, the film isn’t perfect. The transitions between the past and present can be a bit confusing, and the editing could have been smoother. There were moments when Sarah Davenport’s portrayal of Jo came off as too agitated, although she was mostly good. Some inconsistencies also stood out. For instance, why was Jo at a college pitching her book to professors instead of literary agents or publishers when she didn’t attend college?
Despite these flaws, the film has a lot of heart. I also have to give Niederpruem credit for making Professor Bhaer more appealing than usual. Personally, I’m TeamLaurie. Maybe it’s because I relate to Jo as a writer, but the idea of a man dictating how to write just rubs me the wrong way. The view that realistic fiction is inherently better than fantasy feels very snobbish to me, and it doesn’t make me warm to Bhaer, not even in this adaptation. Jo relying solely on Bhaer’s opinion for her fantasy novel was a bit off-putting. That said, Ian Bohen as “Freddie” did have some swoon-worthy moments.
In summary, if you’re a fan of Little Women and you like contemporary adaptations with a feel similar to a good Hallmark drama, you’ll probably enjoy this lesser-known film.
Content Note: It’s rated PG-13 for teen drinking and thematic elements, but should be fine for the whole family.
Where to Watch: You can rent or buy the film on Digital platforms like Amazon. It’s also available on DVD.
What do you think of this adaptation of Little Women? Did you enjoy it or were you disappointed? Let me know in the comments!
