A Review of Greta Gerwig’s Little Women

If by any chance, you’ve never read the classic tale written by Louisa May Alcott from the 1800’s, or seen any of its prior film adaptations, last year’s 2019 production of Little Women, directed and written by none other than the firecracker powerhouse Greta Gerwig herself, then you, my friend, are simply amiss.

Little Women shares with its audience the vitalization of self-discovery and the utmost importance of sisterhood. The film centers on the March sisters; Jo, Meg, Amy and sweet Beth, all of whom are led by their daring and dedicated mother, Mary, who is portrayed by the renowned Laura Dern. Throughout this production, the nostalgic tones and cinematic wonders of the post-Civil War era provide viewers with a deep and honest sense of what it feels like to be a woman who relentlessly strives and ultimately succeeds in making her dreams a reality amidst a world where, unfortunately, that is all too uncommon.

With a cast that had the anticipation of viewers, the dashingly gifted ensemble of actors such as Laura Dern, Saoirse Ronan, Timothee Chalamet and Florence Pugh, provided Gerwig’s audience with a gorgeous, tissue grabbing reflection of this nostalgic tale.

As I sat in the theater alongside my mother, the woman who gave me this novel early on in my childhood, and my personal and real life’s version of “Jo”, I was once again transcended to the past where I first discovered the beautifully intricate and relentlessly humble story of Little Women.

Desperately, I found myself enamored and connected with Jo, the stubborn and witty writer who found that a life worth chasing your passions was more honorable than one settling without them. Ronan portrayed Jo in Gerwig’s version with an electricity that palpably emulated from the screen. One of her sisters, Amy, played by Pugh, travels to Paris to strengthen and study her love of painting, all the while holding onto her childhood hopes of connecting with Theodore, Chalamet’s role, once more. As thick as thieves, Jo and Theodore grew side by side in a love that ultimately was only rooted in the deepest of friendships. The eldest sister, Meg, portrayed by the charming Emma Watson, marries and finds herself wondering, if ultimately her desire to achieve more for herself, was nothing more than a silly aspiration. As life tends to unfold and troubles arise, the sisters find that their close ties are straining, until one day, they’re ultimately brought back together in unity due to the illness of their sister Beth, who is depicted by Australian actress Eliza Scanlen.

Gerwig’s decision of recapturing Little Women was not only refreshing but ultimately necessary. In this day and age, women are still road blocked or disapproved of when it comes to being daring. Of when it comes to reaching their fullest potential. Simply put, that is why this tale is deemed a classic. The stories of these women, of their character and determination, are a reflection of you and I. We may be seen as unable, or dare I say, little, but we are nothing of the sort. So, “own your story”.

The nominations and the awards for this piece speak for the films majesty itself. Below is the list of awards attained and the plethora of nominations given for this well-deserving production of Gerwig’s Little Women. It’s a long list, so get ready, the cast and crew deserve the recognition.

2020 AWARDS:

Academy Award for Best Costume Design, Jacqueline Durran

Critic’s Choice Movie Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, Greta Gerwig

National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress, Laura Dern

New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress, Laura Dern

BAFTA Award for Best Costume Design, Jacqueline Durran

AACTA International Award for Best Actress, Saoirse Ronan

National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Director, Greta Gerwig

2020 NOMINATIONS:

Academy Award for Best Actress, Saoirse Ronan

Academy Award for Best Picture, Amy Pascal

Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Florence Pugh

Academy Award for Best Original Music Score, Alexandre Desplat

Academy Award for Best Writing Adapted Screenplay, Greta Gerwig

Golden Globe Award for Best Actress, Motion Picture, Drama, Saoirse Ronan

Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score, Alexandre Desplat

Critic’s Choice Movie Award for Best Actress, Saoirse Ronan

Critic’s Choice Movie Award for Best Supporting Actress, Florence Pugh

Critic’s Choice Movie Award for Best Acting Ensemble

Critic’s Choice Movie Award for Best Production Design, Jess Gonchor, Claire Kaufman

Critic’s Choice Movie Award for Best Costume Design, Jacqueline Durran

Critic’s Choice Movie Award for Best Score, Alexandre Desplat

Critic’s Choice Movie Award for Best Director, Greta Gerwig

Critic’s Choice Movie Award for Best Picture

BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, Saoirse Ronan

BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Florence Pugh

BAFTA Award for Best Original Music, Alexandre Desplat

BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, Greta Gerwig

Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, Greta Gerwig

National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Screenplay, Greta Gerwig

National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Cinematography, Yorick Le Saux

National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Film

AACTA International Award for Best Supporting Actress, Florence Pugh

Producers Guild of America Award for Best Theatrical Motion Picture, Amy Pascal