Reader, please forgive me as I have sinned. I haven’t read Little Women (aff.link). I haven’t seen the 2019 version either.
In my defense, when Little Women movie came out in 1994, I was a kid fascinated with movies. I loved it! I’ve recently rewatched it as an adult, and I enjoyed it just as much. And yes, the nostalgia feelings the cast create is priceless. I mean, Winona Ryder, Susan Sarandon, Claire Danes, Claire Danes, Christian Bale, and Gabriel Byrne in the same movie? Sign me up.
Little Women Plot Summary
Mrs. March (Susan Sarandon) raises her four unique daughters in relative poverty during post-Civil War America: Meg (Trini Alvarado), Jo (Winona Ryder), Beth (Claire Danes), and Amy (Kirsten Dunst, and later Samantha Mathis).
Meg is the oldest and more traditional of the sisters; she wants to get married and have kids. Amy is the youngest, and she’s already decided money is more important than love. Quieter, calmer Beth plays the piano and helps out those worse off than them.
Jo, the protagonist, is a writer. Her three sisters participate in her creative endevaors by acting out manuscripts. Their colorful lives become even more so when they’re joined by their next-door neighbor Laurie (Christian Bale). Laurie develops a close friendship with them all, though he’s closest to Jo. But when Laurie’s feelings turn romantic, Jo’s response will alter everyone’s lives forever.
Why It’s A Great Story, Especially for Women (and) Writers
We don’t always need to be represented on the screen to enjoy a great story. But it’s definitely a huge bonus when we are.
Being a woman and writer is definitely easier when compared to Jo’s time, though of course, some geographical and cultural exceptions apply.
Still, despite the available resources and fast Internet making life more convenient, being a writer is a weird and diffcult profession. You need to spend a lot of time on your own. You need to get used to being rejected. If you work for yourself, you need exceptional time management skills and patience as you navigate your days AND keep up with the industry.
It goes a long way to have friends who read your work and encourage you to keep following your dreams. This is why I don’t get some readers/viewers were disappointed Jo didn’t end up with Laurie (played by Christian Bale here, and Timothée Chalamet in the 2019 adaptation).
Admittedly, when I first watched the movie as a kid, I was surprised she fell in love with Friedrich. He had seemed too old and mature albeit lovely. But seeing it as someone who is now close to how old Gabriel Byrne was during the filming, I’m smitten with Friedrich. Not only is he beautiful inside and out, he is a champion for her work and talent. He is indeed marriage material, and I couldn’t be happier about Jo’s happy ever after.
Who Should Watch The Film
- Fans of the genre (period drama/romance/family)
- Fans of the cast
- Women (and) writers
For Fun – Best Little Women Reference
In the uber popular sitcom Friends (aff.link), episode 13 in season 3 (The One Where Monica and Richard Are Friends) features a fun Little Women plotline. Joey (Matt LeBlanc) loves reading Stephen King’s horror novel The Shining. But when he gets scared, he puts the book in the freezer. He’s surprised Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) hasn’t read it yet, so they exchange books. Hilarious scenes ensue as Joey gets emotionally invested in all the women’s lives…
Favorite Line
Ross: Joey’s asking if you’ve just ruined the first book he has ever loved that didn’t star Jack Nicholson.
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Have you read the book? Seen a movie adaptation (aff.link)? What about the Friends episode? Please let me know your thoughts in the comments.
