Review of Little Women (2019) – Let’s Discuss That Ending!
Spoilers Ahead!
Little Women has been cherished by many since childhood, spawning various adaptations that we all have strong opinions about. Whether you’re Team Laurie or Bhaer, or perhaps you think Jo should have stayed single like Louisa May Alcott, everyone’s got something to say.
Amy often drew our ire without much effort to understand her. She burned Jo’s book and stole Laurie without a second thought. But Greta Gerwig’s masterful screenplay and direction address these longstanding grievances. This new Little Women adaptation feels fresh, employing a non-linear narrative that breathes life into the characters through sharp writing and stellar performances.
This version stands as the best take on the story since the 1994 film with Winona Ryder and Christian Bale.
Little Women 2019 – The Story
Gerwig’s approach diverges from previous adaptations by starting in the middle, focusing on the March sisters as adults, and using flashbacks to reveal their stories during the Civil War. Jo is in New York chasing her writing dreams, Amy is in Europe working on her art and possibly entering into an engagement, Meg is a homemaker, and Beth, still struggling with her health, remains at home.
Laurie, now in Europe as well, is coping poorly after Jo’s rejection, but then he meets Amy, who has always loved him. As their story unfolds uniquely, we gain a deeper understanding of all the March sisters, even Amy, thanks to the smart dialogue and Florence Pugh’s nuanced portrayal.
Little Women 2019 – The Performances
It’s clear why Little Women earned six Academy Award nominations, including acting nods for Florence Pugh (supporting actress) and Saoirse Ronan (leading actress). Both deliver heartfelt performances, but the entire cast shines brightly. Meryl Streep, Emma Watson, James Norton, Laura Dern, and Timothée Chalamet all turn in stellar performances.
The chemistry between Chalamet and Ronan is palpable, particularly gut-wrenching when Jo turns Laurie down. Chalamet also partners convincingly with Pugh, making Laurie and Amy’s romance more believable than ever before.
Little Women 2019 – Overall Thoughts and Spoilers
While Gerwig’s adaptation mostly sticks to Alcott’s original storyline, her unique narrative decisions may not sit well with purists. Still, I found Gerwig’s approach clever and purposeful, capturing a metaphorical contrast between childhood dreams and adult realities.
Starting the film with Jo in a publishing house creates a story within a story, emphasizing how life quickly shifts from childhood to adulthood. The March sisters’ childhood is filled with dreams and possibilities, in stark contrast to their adult experiences of financial struggles, loneliness, and loss, particularly poignant with Beth’s death.
To Marry or Not to Marry
The ending raises thought-provoking questions. Did Jo truly marry Friedrich Bhaer, or was this a fictional conclusion to satisfy her publisher? The film subtly hints at the latter, aligning with Alcott’s real-life achievements as a writer who fought for and won copyright over her work.
Overall, while I still hold the 1994 film as the most faithful to the novel, Gerwig’s adaptation best captures Alcott’s essence. Filming in Concord and crafting an ending true to Alcott’s spirit is a beautiful homage.
Little Women (2019) is a cinematic gem from the costumes to the performances and cinematography, earning its place as one of the best films of 2019.
Where to Watch: Available on Starz, the Starz Amazon Channel, and for purchase on Digital and DVD.
Content Note: PG
What did you think of the newest Little Women adaptation and its ambiguous ending? Share your thoughts below!
