I didn't think Jo thought of Laurie as the "one that got away." I imagined it as her feeling so lonely that she thought she would have rather settled with a friend she knew wasn't right for her-just because he was someone who saw and understood her and had a good relationship with all her sisters-than risk being lonely forever (i.e., Jo was conflating loneliness with being alone). She confused romantic and platonic feelings and (hopefully, but to the point of naiveté) assumed her and Laurie could preserve their relationship as it always was, marriage having presumably immortalized that relationship rather than altering it. I think that Jo turning him down was a selfless and selfish act (i.e., partly to exact her own agency and make choices based on the future she wanted while also realizing Laurie deserved someone who loved him the way he wanted to be loved by Jo); and when Jo, in the movie, began questioning and going back on that choice it was her being more selfish because she was fearful (i.e., she would marry to avoid feeling lonely at the expense of Laurie's feelings). I thought the 2019 movie was fantastic (having not read the book, admittingly), and I loved your analysis, Merphy! :)
Very well said! I also did not see her as running after Laurie, but running after the promise of not being lonely (I believe there is a line, at least in the book, where she says if he asked her again she would say yes, but not because her love for him had changed, but so she wouldn’t have to be alone). And when he told her he was married, and she went and got her letter, I saw it less as a feeling of he got away, and more of a peace that things turned out as they should have, and as deep down she knew she wanted, her love for Laurie and Amy being as strong as it was.
In the film, I don’t think that Jo changing her mind about Laurie and deciding to marry him is meant to say that she’s in love with him or that he’s the one that got away. To me, it felt like Jo’s moment of weakness, when all the pressures of life and society were just too much for her and she wanted everything to just be easy. I think she saw that she could have a peaceful, content life with Laurie even if she didn’t love him and it wouldn’t truly make her happy. Obviously I think Jo was right when she denied him the first time, saying that they would be miserable together, but I think in that moment of weakness her perspective is skewed and that’s why she does it.
Something I loved about the movie was that Greta Gerwig actually wrote in lines from Louisa May Alcott's actual journal. I didn't realize it at first, but there were lines in the film that were familiar to me but that I did not find when I reread the book, and then I reread some of Louisa's journal entires and found them. Greta Gerwig's movie is so much of a love letter to Louisa and such a great attempt at giving her the story Louisa might have written if she wasn't pressured into marrying off Jo. I can't remember the exact lines at the moment, and Greta didn't advertise this so I can't find the examples on line. But I know there's at least one or two direct quotes I matched in the journals a few years ago. Louisa also kept the copyright for her book in real life, and in doing so was able to provide better lives for her family, which was always at the forefront of her main life goals. My favorite thing about this movie is the mashup of Jo and Louisa
If you’re a fan of Little Women, there’s this lovely middle grade series called The Penderwicks (by Jeanne Birdsall) that very much feels like a spiritual successor. It’s genuinely an all-time favorite series of mine, but I’ve never seen anyone online talk about it! But to be more on topic, yes I love this movie! It’s one of the rare adaptations that captures the spirit of the original work while still feeling fresh for a modern audience
Ooh I found out about this series recently and have been really looking forward to reading it! Problem is every time I look for it in the library it's already on loan.
Eeee, I adored the Penderwicks when I was younger!! I'm planning to re-read the series this summer and it's so nice seeing someone else talking about it!
I never read the book but this has become one of my favorite comfort movies. I grew up with 2 sisters the movie captures such an authentic feel of what it's like growing up with sisters. The ups the downs, how close you can become in childhood, the vicious fights and rifts, and how you can grow apart and then grow back together. If I was to hazard a guess, that is what the book was trying to capture. That slice of life realness and I think the movie does it beautifully.
I liked some things, but disliked others. Amy’s speech about marriage being an economic proposition was excellent. Florence Pugh was wonderful as adult Amy… but a little awkward trying to portray child Amy (it pains me because I ❤️ Florence). Saoirse Ronan as Jo was also wonderful (as usual), but I didn’t always love what they changed about the character. The choice to tell the story out of order was interesting… but I don’t think it gave me that “this is how the story was always meant to be told” feeling. And of course… when I see a period piece I do NOT want current cultural concerns and agenda wedged into the story. I want to see what the concerns were during that time period. In the end I do recommend the watch… but it didn’t beat the 90’s version imho.
Unpopular opinion: I actually loved the romance between Jo and Friedric Bhaer. It felt human and sincere. Sure, he was like ten years Jo’s senior and was eccentric, but he had a kind heart, was profoundly good with children, and was very wise, all of which were traits that Jo admired him for and even saw herself in him for those things. In the end, he comes to Jo in her time of deep loneliness after Beth’s passing and is able to give Jo the love and comfort she desperately needed at that dark time after she finally realizes the importance of family and how the love of a man can give her the beautiful blessing of a loving family that she was able to obtain by the end of the novel and the sequels there-after. Sure, even though that’s not what was originally intended for Jo’s ending, I can’t help but wonder if Louisa Alcott wanted that for herself deep down while writing the end of the novel.
I saw this movie a couple years ago without knowing anything about the book except for the title. It was one of the most beautiful experiences I've ever had with a story... I cried and cried deeply, and I felt grateful in the end for that experirnce. I inmediatly bought the book, but I still havent't read it. However, this review made remind how special that movie is for me. I was sweeping while remembering al the scenes you mentioned. Thank you for that! I promess you to read the book this time!
I have a recommendation! If you like comparing classics to adaptations, the best adaptation I've seen of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is the 1995 mini series! My mom, sister, and I watch it every year and drink tea. 😁
I was confused when you were talking about things that happened in the book(singular) vs things in the movie because in the editions that I read the full span of events in the movie correspond to two different books "little women" and "good wives" . I didn't realize that in newer editions they merged the two books.
One change I loved in the movie (and it’s super small) was what Laurie said to Jo after telling her he and Amy were married. He said, “I love you Jo. I always have and I always will. But what I feel for Amy is different.” In the book he simply says that she and Amy changed places in his heart, which, when I read it too closely, I could almost interpret as undermining the strength of his platonic love for her. As someone who has sometimes struggled to understand platonic vs romantic irl, and who, having been exposed to so many love stories growing up, sometimes doesn’t realize how deep platonic love between friends can be, I loved this change. It reinforced how strong his love for her was, and also that he’d grown up enough to tell the difference. I have to admit…I didn’t like the ending the first time through. I really like Bhaer, and love how his and Jo’s relationship develops, so it was a bit hard to see him treated as just a plot device to please the publisher. However, I think I learned about Louisa’s original intention for the book later, and thus came to really like how the movie showed this awesome parallel between fiction and mirrored reality, and felt the Bhaer plot was handled in a way I could still enjoy him in the story while understanding Louisa’s point of view. Would you consider comparing a few different adaptations of Little Women? While the 2019 film did some things I loved that I did not see portrayed in the 1994 film (like Jo and Beth’s relationship, so beautifully done on the beach) I still think I like the ‘94 one just a bit better. I’d be very curious as to your thoughts and comparing the two adaptations and how they did! (There’s also a PBS show, only 3 episodes, that I’ve heard was really good and I really want to check it out! It has Angela Landsbury!!)
This is one of my favorite videos you’ve done. I love the book and the movie, and I loved comparing your analysis of both with my own thoughts! And like you said, there’s so much charm and warmth to the movie - the actors brought the characters to life in a way that’s stuck with me ever since watching ❤️
Haven't watched this version yet, have heard a lot of praise though. I really loved the book although I read it for the first time as an adult. It feels so warm and cosy. Will check out the movie now, for sure. 😘
Oh it's interesting that you said that you didn't like the brief moment in the movie when Jo intends to pursue Laurie with new romantic feelings because that is REALLY not how I read it! I love that plot-point specifically because I read it as being explicitly non-romantic. It always came off to me as an act of desperation to deal with her grief and how lonely she is. That scene with her Mom where she asks Jo if she loves him and replies that she "cares more to be loved" and Mom point-blank saying that that is not the same thing really cemented for me the idea that Jo, even while thinking about pursuing Laurie, still has absolutely no romantic feelings for him and is only looking to be comforted by his love in the throws of her harrowing loss. And then we end that scene with her powerful monologue about women and their place in society punctuated so heartbreakingly with "but I'm so lonely". It just never really felt romantic or love-triangle-y to me. I wonder if my perspective was skewed because I experienced this story for the first time through this movie and I'm missing subtler things that might come through from the contrasts of her characterization in the book and/or the previous adaptations. Anyways, love this video and we pretty much had the same thoughts on everything else! ^_^
This!! I felt the exact same way about that part; it was so abundantly clear to me that Jo still did not harbor any romantic feelings for Laurie whatsoever, but that she suddenly was trying to force herself to be with him out of a desperate need for companionship after Beth died, and wanting to make things return to how they used to be, if only barely, in the only last way she knew how. The whole speech about wanting more for women in society and for herself, but then ending it with "but I'm so lonely" showed how much she still _did not_ want to "settle" for that kind of life, marrying someone (let alone someone she doesn't romantically love), but that in that moment her sheer loneliness and need to be with someone and for things to be how they used to be now overpowered all of that. Laurie always loved her, and she always rejected him, but marrying him was the "next best" choice if she couldn't have the old, happy, carefree life with all her sisters back again, and she tries so desperately to convince herself that she's perfectly okay with that, until her mom confronts her with the fact that wanting to be loved isn't the same as loving. I also haven't read the book yet so maybe I'm just missing something, but when it comes to just Jo's arc in the movie I thought it made perfect sense for her and wasn't forced or out of character for her at all; it was absolutely heartbreaking, honestly, especially when she finds out that he's going to marry Amy, and that the one last part of her old life she has to cling to is also now gone. I'm surprised Merphy didn't see it this way, tbh.
You need to see the musical live as soon as you get a chance, I was in it in high school and it brought me to the edge of tears at a time in my life when no media could.
I didn't care too much for this most recent movie. I thought the 94' one was the best adaptation. But, I liked the Amy from the newest movie more. I definitely love the book more than either movie. Amy is my favorite character and I don't feel that either movie really captures all of the growth that she experienced.
I don't have any color deficiency or anything, and I didn't even realize they put a filter over the past scenes until you said it just now. They really could have communicated that better.
I haven't read the book or watched the movie yet, but I was in a production of the musical and absolutely loved the heart of the story. Interested to hear if you've heard any of the music from it or not! I adored playing John haha
Oh my goodness! I’m so glad you made a video on this movie! I love this adaptation soooo much! It’s honestly one of my favorite comfort movies! I grew up watching the 90s version, so I always considered that one to be ‘the’ Little Women. However, now that I’ve gone back to the old version after seeing the new version, there are a lot of things I like better about Gerwig’s interpretation. I always have loved the first half of the 90s version, but once Jo moves to New York I hate it. I don’t like Professor Bhaer at all and I found Laurie to be kind of creepy with Amy. I always feel so mad by the end of the movie! 😂 The 2019 version fixes all that for me. I think it makes me feel the right way about all the relationships. I love Florence and Timothee’s chemistry! I also think Saoirse and Timothee portray Jo and Laurie’s relationship perfectly. It’s sad that she doesn’t end up with Laurie, not because they ever had a romantic relationship, though. They loved each other very deeply, but more like a brother and sister would love each other. Jo, in a sense, loses the only person she is close to outside of her sisters when he marries Amy. Their relationship can’t quite be the same anymore. I actually really like that they added the scene with Jo writing the letter to Laurie. It makes their separation so much more tragic and it gets me every time! 😂 Anyway, thank you so much for bringing up this discussion! ❤
In terms of the changes made to Laurie and Amy’s relationship, I’m actually grateful for the changes they made in the movie, if only because it helped me understand their relationship better. Reason being is that I read these books when I was about 10 or 11 so a lot of the subtleties surrounding their relationship were lost on me, Amy’s character too, cause all I could focus on was how unfair it was that jo and Laurie weren’t together and it felt like amy was stealing him🤣. But I saw this movie when I was around 17 and I get it now😂 Edit: after watching this review, I think I’m due for a re-reread😂
Now I'm curious to see how you'd feel about the much more linear (and evenly divided among the sisters) 90s version... I grew up watching that one over and over with my mom so much I didn't even read the book until I was an adult... Of course, that movie really butchers the Amy and Laurie relationship.
I just finished the book and I really wanted to see some other creators share their opinions on this book, Never expected my favourite booktuber to do that! Thanksssss 😄
Would you consider watching the 1994 version? It is one of my all time favorite movies. Have watched it every year since I was a kid. I didn’t like this new adaptation nearly as much but maybe it’s nostalgia. But the 1994 version is truly special.
I liked both the book and movie. I saw the movie when it came out in the theatre, I haven't read the book recently though. I want to read more of Louisa May Alcott's work, specifically one short story she wrote called Lost in a Pyramid; or, The Mummy's Curse.
I had never read Little Women before I saw the movie, so I had no idea what to expect. Let me tell you, I was bawling in the theatre. Also, I did not notice the time jumps at first. I said to my husband, "This must be a sequel. I have no idea what's happening". I eventually figured it out 🤣
The complaint I always hear about the 2019 version is that Beth wasn't given much depth. You've stated more eloquently than I could that on the contrary, Beth was given ALL the depth. It's an element that people seem to willfully misunderstand because they've never had to watch a loved one die slowly, watch them face death and all its complicated questions. We as a mass audience have been conditioned by Christopher Nolan to be able to process non-linear storytelling, but it's easy to miss how easily the transitions could've been botched. I also didn't notice the color-grade changes on the first viewing, but I don't think that's the only indicator the viewer gets. Greta Gerwig has a command of subtlety that pays off in many indescribable ways. The endgame of fusing Jo March with Louisa May Alcott could only be achieved through the non-linear structure building direct connections with how far the March sisters have come since their childhood, as well as the consequences of decisions made in said childhood. You meet them as women instead of as girls, which brilliantly sets the parameters / bigger picture of what the March sisters have to go through in order to get their happy ending. Jo's moment of doubt at the end, and being too late to be with Laurie, I felt humanized her push for independence. She's not holding up some lofty abstract concept to be superior to anyone; instead she's truly being herself and the messiness of it is allowed to unfold in ways that add meaning to her personal victory. It's not perfect, but perfection isn't what Jo needs. If the doubt never creeped into her mind, the consequence of what Laurie selfishly sprung on her years ago wouldn't be tangible. Laurie and Amy are a weird couple, 'tis true. Their romance comes from not quite so strong a place on screen and their marriage is rushed, that much I agree with you on. What redeems it for me is that you still see Laurie learn from Amy and mature. The fact that you barely mentioned Aunt March is hilarious. If she were a real person (and had anything resembling Meryl Streep's personality), you'd have definitely injured her pride. Rock on. All in all I continue to adore the story and characters that Gerwig introduced to me (the book is still on my TBR) and continue to be impressed by the well of thoughts and emotions that can be drawn from any source if a storyteller has the patience.
10:50 thank you for saying this! I have been saying this since the movie came out. It's one of the things that bothered me the most. The one thing that I can say I absolutely love about the movie are Amy and Laurie's relationship. They were something I really wish my favorite adaptation had done better.
I’ve been holding off watching the movie because I just wasn’t sure if it would ruin the book for me. I read it for the first time in April and absolutely fell in LOVE with the story. I can see why it’s a classic and I felt warm inside when learning and growing along side the characters. The fact that you love the movie is the green light I need to watch the movie! Thank you for this in depth review/comparison!! Loving all the videos! 💙
Really enjoyed the adaptation. I've loved the book since we were made to read it in school and I thought it was dumb, but it turned out to be a great read.
Ok, so maybe I'm the only one who thought this. So I'm probably wrong. But what I thought happened at the end was she made the character version of herself a spinster. But when made to change it she wrote what really happened. I swear I saw Bahr(sp?) at the school and she rubbed his back.
This movie is as much an adaptation of the previous adaptations as it is an adaptation of the book. Some of your points are actually changes made by earlier adaptations, that this one keeps, but changes stylistically. Thomas Flight has a good comparison video.
Yes! This is something you see with a lot of movies where there are a lot of previous adaptations but MOST often in little women. Also Anne of green gables.
I loved the book but it’s been a long time since I read it so I wasn’t as conscious of the differences in the movie. I also loved the way they meshed Jo’s story and Laura Ingall Wilder’s story. I thought all the actors were great. In general I agree with your opinions, although as I said it’s been a long time since I read the book.
I personally loved the movie but that's more me being nostalgic yes the movie is great but does have flaws but i grew up reading this book reading about these 4 girls so watching Little Women made me cry many times sometimes for absolutely no reason other than seeing the girls bond because i myself have this really strong bond with my little sister and i was away from her for 3 months at that time also the acting was amazing.
I loved this movie, though the book was better for me. Amy was the highlight of the movie for me, and Laurie was definitely the biggest let down. And it's all down to the images we create of characters in our heads, because I imagined him as a tall guy with a puppy like personality, while Timothee is short and doesn't show much emotion at all, except when confessing his love for Jo. I really wished they had cast someone else, but oh well.
This book is so dear to me and when this movie came out it became an instant favorite, I forced my family to watch it with me and absolutely bawled in theaters and no one else in my family cared about the story 😂
I have an opinion that seems to be unpopular among Little Women readers: I ADORE Jo and Bhaer's relationship! I understand that it wasn't the ending Alcott originally imagined, but I think she found a way to do it on her own terms and nailed it. I do love this movie (my favourite of the adaptations I've seen- although I'll always prefer the book) but I interpreted the ending a little differently. I see it as more open-ended, you can either believe that Jo ended up marrying or that she didn't, and while the romantic ending is sensationalized it isn't being mocked. But perhaps I'm biased, because again, I looooove Jo and the professor; their relationship is beautiful to me.
I also love Jo and Fritz😍 have you seen the 2017? I think? Modern adaptation? It's one of my favorite adaptations specifically because of the added attention given to them!
Possibly because of the time jumping, but the 2019 version was the only version where I didn't bawl when Beth dies. Not even a tear. We see her in like the next scene anyway. And I really disliked the ending. It might have worked better had Alcott been brought in as the character in scenes with the editor, rather than having Jo write and portray the ending as herself. The book ending, while not what Alcott seemingly wanted, doesn't feel melodramatic or overly romantic to the point of comedy as the film chose to do. This choice in the film actually seems to weaken the other relationships, imo.
I love this video! I have read the book and watched this movie several times each, and I'm so glad you loved the movie. The March family is very near and dear to my heart. 😊 I love the correlation between the "past" and "future" timelines. The director specifically did it that way because she noticed that the book lined up almost exactly to where the past experiences of the girls taught the childhood solutions to the sisters' future problems. I think it just shows how great of a writer Louisa May Alcott was. As a side note, I also don't see very much appreciation for the music in this movie. It is beautiful and solemn and sorrowful respectively at the exact time it's supposed to be. Amazing! 😍😍
Little Women is one of my favorite books and this newer film adaptation I didn't really care for. The time jumps were confusing, the focus of the movie, like you said, left out some characters and their development (the movie focused more on Jo and Amy while Beth and Meg got left out for the most part, which I HATED because Beth is my favorite character) and I just disliked most of the changes that the movie made with the exception of the ending and Jo not getting together with Professor Behr. Because I was aware that Louisa May Alcott was forced to create a relationship for Jo instead leaving her as a single spinster, which would have fit her character more, I think I appreciated that ending a lot (I do find it funny though that because she was forced to give Jo a husband, she was like, okay - Jo ends up with an older, heavier man who isn't conventionally attractive, kind of an eff you to the publishers). I also thought Timothee Chalamet was miscast as Laurie, who is one of my favorite characters from a book. Not saying he's a bad actor but I didn't like him as Laurie. Christian Bale is my Laurie of choice. I'm wondering if you've seen the 1994 adaptation of Little Women with Winona Ryder? And if you have, what was your opinion of that adaptation? That is my favorite adaptation and I think it is much more faithful to the book - linear story, all the sisters are developed well, Amy and Laurie's development pretty much stay the same as the book as opposed to how this movie changed it, PERFECT casting all around, etc. Though I have to admit I'm pretty biased because I grew up with this adaptation and it's what inspired me to read the book.
I too prefer the 1994 version, but: 1. thought Laurie/Amy relationship was better done in the 2019 version (but would have preferred a younger actress as young Amy) 2. the 1994 Beth actress was TOTALLY miscast imo
My takeaway of her running after Laurie was actually more a moment that a lot of us women go through of, hmm, maybe better not to be alone, I'm not like other women, I may never get asked again. I think in her core she knew Laurie was like a brother. The acting conveyed this pretty well. She cared more about her sister Amy at the end of the day.
I adored the ending. The way they combined the book ending and spinster story line - brilliant. The book is very much a tool to make girls into prim and proper woman. And where Ann of Green Gables was annoying in this scholar tone, Little Woman was simply charming.
I remember I started reading Little Women for fun in elementary school bc my mom loved it, but I never finished bc it just didn't capture my interest at the time. I think I made it to around the point when Amy started taking over as Aunt March's companion. That said I really enjoyed the movie when I went and saw it with my mom so I think it may be time to give the book another shot! I remember being fond of Amy despite her inital brattiness bc I'm also a youngest sister, so it's disappointing to hear her character arc got shortchanged. I also totally understand having some icky feelings about changing it so Jo regrets turning down Laurie when she doesn't in the book. Like you said, it's totally valid for her to change her mind about wanting to get married and have a family, but it feels a little weird to undermine her certainty that Laurie isn't the one for her. I did kind of read that scene as more Jo trying to convince herself she felt differently out of fear of being left behind more than actually realizing she had romantic feelings for Laurie, but it would have been refreshing for her to be sure of her feelings and not backpedal.
Merphy watch Arcane please! I would like to see how you would break down Arcane. It's a grimdark/fantasy show with deep characters and a fantastic world. It also has only nine episodes!
I first listened to this book only a few years ago as a middle-aged adult - I was never exposed to it as a kid, and being a boy, it wasn't something it occurred to me to seek out. I didn't expect to like it - mostly because it sounded like it'd be too over-the-top saccharine and wholesome, and I was worried it would be like a cheesy Hallmark movie. But I found myself having a lot of respect for the book. It was wholesome, but unlike a Hallmark movie, it was never preachy and never insulted the reader's intelligence. It grappled with the transition to adulthood in a compassionate and insightful way.
Having reread the book and having watched this adaptation 7 times, I have to say I like the movie better than the book. I don’t believe that adaptations have to be accurate to the text, I think they should actually try to do something new with it otherwise why adapt it in the first place
I´ve been looking for a book with a vibe similar to Little Women´s (atmospheric, wholesome, chill but interesting) for a very long while. Does anyone have any suggestions please??
I love the book and the film from 1994. I love the casting, especially Christian Bale as Laurie. Greta Gerwig's adaptation wasn't good enough for me and the cast was off, although I love Ronan, Chalamet and Pugh as actors, they just didn't work for me in this story at all.
I felt like the movie was a... nice try. It tried to make two books to fit into a onr movie and the result was more or less confusing. But it caught some of the atmosphere, so I quite enjoyed it.
I've gotta say that unfortunately this movie failed for me not just as an adaptation, but as a movie. Having never read the book... Let me tell you, those time jumps were terrible. It made the first maybe quarter of the movie almost incomprehensible, which in turn impacted my awareness of pretty much all the character arcs. It also made the story feel like the point wasn't the character arcs, but instead the mystery of how everyone ended up the way they do in the future. And the weirdest part to me is that the time jumps didn't need to be like that. They could've just been clear about when each scene was taking place. I didn't even realize until towards the end that we were jumping back and forth between two points in time, it seemed to me like we were seeing scrambled fragments of their lives. I think if I hadn't been watching it in a theater and my partner could've explained to me what was going on earlier, I might've had a very different experience watching it.
I like the book, but I find it a little too preachy for my taste. I like that the movie didn't lean into that as much. I do agree that Meg and Amy's arcs, while good in the movie, are better and more fleshed out in the book. I didn't connect with Jo so much in the book, and preferred her in the movie. With Beth it's the other way around however: I didn't feel so much for her in the movie, but I adored her in the book.
Disliked what the adaption did with Amy. That little speech while written with the intention to explore her intentions more I felt stripped the character of a sense of agency.
Being from a family of four girls this book is very special to my family. I haven’t seen the new film, but our favorite adaptation is the 1933 version with Katherine Hepburn playing Jo, I highly recommend it. Also, this is a really good video talking about how they could have done so much more with the costumes to help show the time jumps! ua-cam.com/video/_sBqqERMblo/v-deo.html
I don't really care for classic literature. Most of it is boring for me. I also don't really care for period piece movies. I've never read Little Women and knew very little going in. Little Women was my second favorite movie of 2019.
Hey merphy, i know you might not like it when op fans comment on your vids asking for more one piece content but i just have to ask. Where’s the pudding video? Lol. Also didnt watch the vid cause you said spoilers. Might pick this up
I didn't think Jo thought of Laurie as the "one that got away." I imagined it as her feeling so lonely that she thought she would have rather settled with a friend she knew wasn't right for her-just because he was someone who saw and understood her and had a good relationship with all her sisters-than risk being lonely forever (i.e., Jo was conflating loneliness with being alone). She confused romantic and platonic feelings and (hopefully, but to the point of naiveté) assumed her and Laurie could preserve their relationship as it always was, marriage having presumably immortalized that relationship rather than altering it. I think that Jo turning him down was a selfless and selfish act (i.e., partly to exact her own agency and make choices based on the future she wanted while also realizing Laurie deserved someone who loved him the way he wanted to be loved by Jo); and when Jo, in the movie, began questioning and going back on that choice it was her being more selfish because she was fearful (i.e., she would marry to avoid feeling lonely at the expense of Laurie's feelings). I thought the 2019 movie was fantastic (having not read the book, admittingly), and I loved your analysis, Merphy! :)
Very well said! I also did not see her as running after Laurie, but running after the promise of not being lonely (I believe there is a line, at least in the book, where she says if he asked her again she would say yes, but not because her love for him had changed, but so she wouldn’t have to be alone). And when he told her he was married, and she went and got her letter, I saw it less as a feeling of he got away, and more of a peace that things turned out as they should have, and as deep down she knew she wanted, her love for Laurie and Amy being as strong as it was.
@@celinefuchs4095 I interpreted it the same way
That is exactly the read I got off of Jo's character as well!
In the film, I don’t think that Jo changing her mind about Laurie and deciding to marry him is meant to say that she’s in love with him or that he’s the one that got away. To me, it felt like Jo’s moment of weakness, when all the pressures of life and society were just too much for her and she wanted everything to just be easy. I think she saw that she could have a peaceful, content life with Laurie even if she didn’t love him and it wouldn’t truly make her happy. Obviously I think Jo was right when she denied him the first time, saying that they would be miserable together, but I think in that moment of weakness her perspective is skewed and that’s why she does it.
Something I loved about the movie was that Greta Gerwig actually wrote in lines from Louisa May Alcott's actual journal. I didn't realize it at first, but there were lines in the film that were familiar to me but that I did not find when I reread the book, and then I reread some of Louisa's journal entires and found them. Greta Gerwig's movie is so much of a love letter to Louisa and such a great attempt at giving her the story Louisa might have written if she wasn't pressured into marrying off Jo. I can't remember the exact lines at the moment, and Greta didn't advertise this so I can't find the examples on line. But I know there's at least one or two direct quotes I matched in the journals a few years ago.
Louisa also kept the copyright for her book in real life, and in doing so was able to provide better lives for her family, which was always at the forefront of her main life goals. My favorite thing about this movie is the mashup of Jo and Louisa
If you’re a fan of Little Women, there’s this lovely middle grade series called The Penderwicks (by Jeanne Birdsall) that very much feels like a spiritual successor. It’s genuinely an all-time favorite series of mine, but I’ve never seen anyone online talk about it!
But to be more on topic, yes I love this movie! It’s one of the rare adaptations that captures the spirit of the original work while still feeling fresh for a modern audience
Ooh I found out about this series recently and have been really looking forward to reading it! Problem is every time I look for it in the library it's already on loan.
I completely agree about the Penderwicks
Eeee, I adored the Penderwicks when I was younger!! I'm planning to re-read the series this summer and it's so nice seeing someone else talking about it!
I absolutely love the penderwicks, i come from a family of four sisters and we made a home film of the penderwicks with me as batty!
Yes! The Penderwicks series is an absolute favorite of mine. I wholeheartedly agree it feels like a modern day successor to LW.
I never read the book but this has become one of my favorite comfort movies. I grew up with 2 sisters the movie captures such an authentic feel of what it's like growing up with sisters. The ups the downs, how close you can become in childhood, the vicious fights and rifts, and how you can grow apart and then grow back together. If I was to hazard a guess, that is what the book was trying to capture. That slice of life realness and I think the movie does it beautifully.
I actually haven’t seen this version. I love the one from the 90s(?), and I’m always scared of new versions of things I like
It’s phenomenal imo
I liked some things, but disliked others.
Amy’s speech about marriage being an economic proposition was excellent. Florence Pugh was wonderful as adult Amy… but a little awkward trying to portray child Amy (it pains me because I ❤️ Florence).
Saoirse Ronan as Jo was also wonderful (as usual), but I didn’t always love what they changed about the character.
The choice to tell the story out of order was interesting… but I don’t think it gave me that “this is how the story was always meant to be told” feeling.
And of course… when I see a period piece I do NOT want current cultural concerns and agenda wedged into the story. I want to see what the concerns were during that time period.
In the end I do recommend the watch… but it didn’t beat the 90’s version imho.
Unpopular opinion: I actually loved the romance between Jo and Friedric Bhaer. It felt human and sincere. Sure, he was like ten years Jo’s senior and was eccentric, but he had a kind heart, was profoundly good with children, and was very wise, all of which were traits that Jo admired him for and even saw herself in him for those things. In the end, he comes to Jo in her time of deep loneliness after Beth’s passing and is able to give Jo the love and comfort she desperately needed at that dark time after she finally realizes the importance of family and how the love of a man can give her the beautiful blessing of a loving family that she was able to obtain by the end of the novel and the sequels there-after. Sure, even though that’s not what was originally intended for Jo’s ending, I can’t help but wonder if Louisa Alcott wanted that for herself deep down while writing the end of the novel.
I saw this movie a couple years ago without knowing anything about the book except for the title. It was one of the most beautiful experiences I've ever had with a story... I cried and cried deeply, and I felt grateful in the end for that experirnce. I inmediatly bought the book, but I still havent't read it. However, this review made remind how special that movie is for me. I was sweeping while remembering al the scenes you mentioned. Thank you for that! I promess you to read the book this time!
I have a recommendation! If you like comparing classics to adaptations, the best adaptation I've seen of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is the 1995 mini series! My mom, sister, and I watch it every year and drink tea. 😁
I would much prefer the comparison between the book and the 2005 movie adaption. Tastes are different^^
I was confused when you were talking about things that happened in the book(singular) vs things in the movie because in the editions that I read the full span of events in the movie correspond to two different books "little women" and "good wives" .
I didn't realize that in newer editions they merged the two books.
One change I loved in the movie (and it’s super small) was what Laurie said to Jo after telling her he and Amy were married. He said, “I love you Jo. I always have and I always will. But what I feel for Amy is different.” In the book he simply says that she and Amy changed places in his heart, which, when I read it too closely, I could almost interpret as undermining the strength of his platonic love for her. As someone who has sometimes struggled to understand platonic vs romantic irl, and who, having been exposed to so many love stories growing up, sometimes doesn’t realize how deep platonic love between friends can be, I loved this change. It reinforced how strong his love for her was, and also that he’d grown up enough to tell the difference.
I have to admit…I didn’t like the ending the first time through. I really like Bhaer, and love how his and Jo’s relationship develops, so it was a bit hard to see him treated as just a plot device to please the publisher. However, I think I learned about Louisa’s original intention for the book later, and thus came to really like how the movie showed this awesome parallel between fiction and mirrored reality, and felt the Bhaer plot was handled in a way I could still enjoy him in the story while understanding Louisa’s point of view.
Would you consider comparing a few different adaptations of Little Women? While the 2019 film did some things I loved that I did not see portrayed in the 1994 film (like Jo and Beth’s relationship, so beautifully done on the beach) I still think I like the ‘94 one just a bit better. I’d be very curious as to your thoughts and comparing the two adaptations and how they did! (There’s also a PBS show, only 3 episodes, that I’ve heard was really good and I really want to check it out! It has Angela Landsbury!!)
This is one of my favorite videos you’ve done. I love the book and the movie, and I loved comparing your analysis of both with my own thoughts! And like you said, there’s so much charm and warmth to the movie - the actors brought the characters to life in a way that’s stuck with me ever since watching ❤️
Agreed, this is one of my all time favourite adaptations. So good!
Haven't watched this version yet, have heard a lot of praise though. I really loved the book although I read it for the first time as an adult. It feels so warm and cosy. Will check out the movie now, for sure. 😘
Oh it's interesting that you said that you didn't like the brief moment in the movie when Jo intends to pursue Laurie with new romantic feelings because that is REALLY not how I read it! I love that plot-point specifically because I read it as being explicitly non-romantic. It always came off to me as an act of desperation to deal with her grief and how lonely she is. That scene with her Mom where she asks Jo if she loves him and replies that she "cares more to be loved" and Mom point-blank saying that that is not the same thing really cemented for me the idea that Jo, even while thinking about pursuing Laurie, still has absolutely no romantic feelings for him and is only looking to be comforted by his love in the throws of her harrowing loss. And then we end that scene with her powerful monologue about women and their place in society punctuated so heartbreakingly with "but I'm so lonely". It just never really felt romantic or love-triangle-y to me. I wonder if my perspective was skewed because I experienced this story for the first time through this movie and I'm missing subtler things that might come through from the contrasts of her characterization in the book and/or the previous adaptations.
Anyways, love this video and we pretty much had the same thoughts on everything else! ^_^
This!! I felt the exact same way about that part; it was so abundantly clear to me that Jo still did not harbor any romantic feelings for Laurie whatsoever, but that she suddenly was trying to force herself to be with him out of a desperate need for companionship after Beth died, and wanting to make things return to how they used to be, if only barely, in the only last way she knew how. The whole speech about wanting more for women in society and for herself, but then ending it with "but I'm so lonely" showed how much she still _did not_ want to "settle" for that kind of life, marrying someone (let alone someone she doesn't romantically love), but that in that moment her sheer loneliness and need to be with someone and for things to be how they used to be now overpowered all of that. Laurie always loved her, and she always rejected him, but marrying him was the "next best" choice if she couldn't have the old, happy, carefree life with all her sisters back again, and she tries so desperately to convince herself that she's perfectly okay with that, until her mom confronts her with the fact that wanting to be loved isn't the same as loving. I also haven't read the book yet so maybe I'm just missing something, but when it comes to just Jo's arc in the movie I thought it made perfect sense for her and wasn't forced or out of character for her at all; it was absolutely heartbreaking, honestly, especially when she finds out that he's going to marry Amy, and that the one last part of her old life she has to cling to is also now gone. I'm surprised Merphy didn't see it this way, tbh.
You need to see the musical live as soon as you get a chance, I was in it in high school and it brought me to the edge of tears at a time in my life when no media could.
I didn't care too much for this most recent movie. I thought the 94' one was the best adaptation. But, I liked the Amy from the newest movie more. I definitely love the book more than either movie. Amy is my favorite character and I don't feel that either movie really captures all of the growth that she experienced.
I don't have any color deficiency or anything, and I didn't even realize they put a filter over the past scenes until you said it just now. They really could have communicated that better.
Love the discussion, it'd be fun to see you talk more about adaptations (if it's something you'd like to do)
I haven't read the book or watched the movie yet, but I was in a production of the musical and absolutely loved the heart of the story. Interested to hear if you've heard any of the music from it or not! I adored playing John haha
Oh my goodness! I’m so glad you made a video on this movie! I love this adaptation soooo much! It’s honestly one of my favorite comfort movies!
I grew up watching the 90s version, so I always considered that one to be ‘the’ Little Women. However, now that I’ve gone back to the old version after seeing the new version, there are a lot of things I like better about Gerwig’s interpretation.
I always have loved the first half of the 90s version, but once Jo moves to New York I hate it. I don’t like Professor Bhaer at all and I found Laurie to be kind of creepy with Amy. I always feel so mad by the end of the movie! 😂
The 2019 version fixes all that for me. I think it makes me feel the right way about all the relationships. I love Florence and Timothee’s chemistry! I also think Saoirse and Timothee portray Jo and Laurie’s relationship perfectly. It’s sad that she doesn’t end up with Laurie, not because they ever had a romantic relationship, though. They loved each other very deeply, but more like a brother and sister would love each other. Jo, in a sense, loses the only person she is close to outside of her sisters when he marries Amy. Their relationship can’t quite be the same anymore. I actually really like that they added the scene with Jo writing the letter to Laurie. It makes their separation so much more tragic and it gets me every time! 😂
Anyway, thank you so much for bringing up this discussion! ❤
In terms of the changes made to Laurie and Amy’s relationship, I’m actually grateful for the changes they made in the movie, if only because it helped me understand their relationship better. Reason being is that I read these books when I was about 10 or 11 so a lot of the subtleties surrounding their relationship were lost on me, Amy’s character too, cause all I could focus on was how unfair it was that jo and Laurie weren’t together and it felt like amy was stealing him🤣. But I saw this movie when I was around 17 and I get it now😂
Edit: after watching this review, I think I’m due for a re-reread😂
I think this is definitely the best adaptation I've seen so far. It's not perfect, but it's very well done.
Now I'm curious to see how you'd feel about the much more linear (and evenly divided among the sisters) 90s version... I grew up watching that one over and over with my mom so much I didn't even read the book until I was an adult... Of course, that movie really butchers the Amy and Laurie relationship.
Would you be up for a book to movie (animation) for Peter Pan? I think that would be really interesting
I think Jo's ending was supposed to be ambiguous...we don't know if she married the professor or not.
I just finished the book and I really wanted to see some other creators share their opinions on this book, Never expected my favourite booktuber to do that! Thanksssss 😄
Would you consider watching the 1994 version? It is one of my all time favorite movies. Have watched it every year since I was a kid. I didn’t like this new adaptation nearly as much but maybe it’s nostalgia. But the 1994 version is truly special.
Have you seen the 1994 version with Wynona Ryder? What do you think of that one? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
I liked both the book and movie. I saw the movie when it came out in the theatre, I haven't read the book recently though. I want to read more of Louisa May Alcott's work, specifically one short story she wrote called Lost in a Pyramid; or, The Mummy's Curse.
I had never read Little Women before I saw the movie, so I had no idea what to expect. Let me tell you, I was bawling in the theatre.
Also, I did not notice the time jumps at first. I said to my husband, "This must be a sequel. I have no idea what's happening". I eventually figured it out 🤣
You should do another Movie to Book video for The Outsiders,Rumble Fish,Tex,and That was Then this is Now by S.E. Hinton
The complaint I always hear about the 2019 version is that Beth wasn't given much depth. You've stated more eloquently than I could that on the contrary, Beth was given ALL the depth. It's an element that people seem to willfully misunderstand because they've never had to watch a loved one die slowly, watch them face death and all its complicated questions.
We as a mass audience have been conditioned by Christopher Nolan to be able to process non-linear storytelling, but it's easy to miss how easily the transitions could've been botched. I also didn't notice the color-grade changes on the first viewing, but I don't think that's the only indicator the viewer gets. Greta Gerwig has a command of subtlety that pays off in many indescribable ways. The endgame of fusing Jo March with Louisa May Alcott could only be achieved through the non-linear structure building direct connections with how far the March sisters have come since their childhood, as well as the consequences of decisions made in said childhood. You meet them as women instead of as girls, which brilliantly sets the parameters / bigger picture of what the March sisters have to go through in order to get their happy ending.
Jo's moment of doubt at the end, and being too late to be with Laurie, I felt humanized her push for independence. She's not holding up some lofty abstract concept to be superior to anyone; instead she's truly being herself and the messiness of it is allowed to unfold in ways that add meaning to her personal victory. It's not perfect, but perfection isn't what Jo needs. If the doubt never creeped into her mind, the consequence of what Laurie selfishly sprung on her years ago wouldn't be tangible.
Laurie and Amy are a weird couple, 'tis true. Their romance comes from not quite so strong a place on screen and their marriage is rushed, that much I agree with you on. What redeems it for me is that you still see Laurie learn from Amy and mature.
The fact that you barely mentioned Aunt March is hilarious. If she were a real person (and had anything resembling Meryl Streep's personality), you'd have definitely injured her pride. Rock on.
All in all I continue to adore the story and characters that Gerwig introduced to me (the book is still on my TBR) and continue to be impressed by the well of thoughts and emotions that can be drawn from any source if a storyteller has the patience.
10:50 thank you for saying this! I have been saying this since the movie came out. It's one of the things that bothered me the most. The one thing that I can say I absolutely love about the movie are Amy and Laurie's relationship. They were something I really wish my favorite adaptation had done better.
I’ve been holding off watching the movie because I just wasn’t sure if it would ruin the book for me. I read it for the first time in April and absolutely fell in LOVE with the story. I can see why it’s a classic and I felt warm inside when learning and growing along side the characters. The fact that you love the movie is the green light I need to watch the movie! Thank you for this in depth review/comparison!! Loving all the videos! 💙
Really enjoyed the adaptation. I've loved the book since we were made to read it in school and I thought it was dumb, but it turned out to be a great read.
Ok, so maybe I'm the only one who thought this. So I'm probably wrong. But what I thought happened at the end was she made the character version of herself a spinster. But when made to change it she wrote what really happened. I swear I saw Bahr(sp?) at the school and she rubbed his back.
This movie is as much an adaptation of the previous adaptations as it is an adaptation of the book.
Some of your points are actually changes made by earlier adaptations, that this one keeps, but changes stylistically. Thomas Flight has a good comparison video.
Yes! This is something you see with a lot of movies where there are a lot of previous adaptations but MOST often in little women. Also Anne of green gables.
Merphy, I've been watching your videos for a long time and I really appreciate your videos! ❤️
I loved the book but it’s been a long time since I read it so I wasn’t as conscious of the differences in the movie. I also loved the way they meshed Jo’s story and Laura Ingall Wilder’s story. I thought all the actors were great. In general I agree with your opinions, although as I said it’s been a long time since I read the book.
I personally loved the movie but that's more me being nostalgic yes the movie is great but does have flaws but i grew up reading this book reading about these 4 girls so watching Little Women made me cry many times sometimes for absolutely no reason other than seeing the girls bond because i myself have this really strong bond with my little sister and i was away from her for 3 months at that time also the acting was amazing.
Great analysis Merphy! I'm not really into classics, although this book (+movie) caught my attention, and I appreciated it very much.
Best "Little Women" movie in my opinion is the 1949 edition, hands down. Even though I'm a younger person I grew up with that one 💜💙
I loved this movie, though the book was better for me. Amy was the highlight of the movie for me, and Laurie was definitely the biggest let down. And it's all down to the images we create of characters in our heads, because I imagined him as a tall guy with a puppy like personality, while Timothee is short and doesn't show much emotion at all, except when confessing his love for Jo. I really wished they had cast someone else, but oh well.
Why did the farmer win an award? He was the best in his field 😹😹😹
My daughter couldn't watch the complete movie as there were way too many changes in the movie that she couldn't get past it.
Yay! Great job, loved it! (Looking forward to more book/movie reviews)
Can you talk about Kaitou Joker?
I'll have to watch it now. Was hesitant but sounds like it was pretty good adaptation so now I must give it a whirl
me: *never watched, read nor even been interested in Little women*
also me: *watches the full video anyways*
Great video as always 👍
I was very upset to learn little women was not about miniature women the size of a mouse getting into hijinks
I love your reviews Merphy and love that you also review classics like Little Women. Would you consider trying Agatha Christie?
This book is so dear to me and when this movie came out it became an instant favorite, I forced my family to watch it with me and absolutely bawled in theaters and no one else in my family cared about the story 😂
I have an opinion that seems to be unpopular among Little Women readers: I ADORE Jo and Bhaer's relationship! I understand that it wasn't the ending Alcott originally imagined, but I think she found a way to do it on her own terms and nailed it. I do love this movie (my favourite of the adaptations I've seen- although I'll always prefer the book) but I interpreted the ending a little differently. I see it as more open-ended, you can either believe that Jo ended up marrying or that she didn't, and while the romantic ending is sensationalized it isn't being mocked. But perhaps I'm biased, because again, I looooove Jo and the professor; their relationship is beautiful to me.
I also love Jo and Fritz😍 have you seen the 2017? I think? Modern adaptation? It's one of my favorite adaptations specifically because of the added attention given to them!
Possibly because of the time jumping, but the 2019 version was the only version where I didn't bawl when Beth dies. Not even a tear. We see her in like the next scene anyway.
And I really disliked the ending. It might have worked better had Alcott been brought in as the character in scenes with the editor, rather than having Jo write and portray the ending as herself. The book ending, while not what Alcott seemingly wanted, doesn't feel melodramatic or overly romantic to the point of comedy as the film chose to do. This choice in the film actually seems to weaken the other relationships, imo.
I love this video! I have read the book and watched this movie several times each, and I'm so glad you loved the movie. The March family is very near and dear to my heart. 😊
I love the correlation between the "past" and "future" timelines. The director specifically did it that way because she noticed that the book lined up almost exactly to where the past experiences of the girls taught the childhood solutions to the sisters' future problems. I think it just shows how great of a writer Louisa May Alcott was.
As a side note, I also don't see very much appreciation for the music in this movie. It is beautiful and solemn and sorrowful respectively at the exact time it's supposed to be. Amazing! 😍😍
Little Women is one of my favorite books and this newer film adaptation I didn't really care for. The time jumps were confusing, the focus of the movie, like you said, left out some characters and their development (the movie focused more on Jo and Amy while Beth and Meg got left out for the most part, which I HATED because Beth is my favorite character) and I just disliked most of the changes that the movie made with the exception of the ending and Jo not getting together with Professor Behr. Because I was aware that Louisa May Alcott was forced to create a relationship for Jo instead leaving her as a single spinster, which would have fit her character more, I think I appreciated that ending a lot (I do find it funny though that because she was forced to give Jo a husband, she was like, okay - Jo ends up with an older, heavier man who isn't conventionally attractive, kind of an eff you to the publishers). I also thought Timothee Chalamet was miscast as Laurie, who is one of my favorite characters from a book. Not saying he's a bad actor but I didn't like him as Laurie. Christian Bale is my Laurie of choice.
I'm wondering if you've seen the 1994 adaptation of Little Women with Winona Ryder? And if you have, what was your opinion of that adaptation? That is my favorite adaptation and I think it is much more faithful to the book - linear story, all the sisters are developed well, Amy and Laurie's development pretty much stay the same as the book as opposed to how this movie changed it, PERFECT casting all around, etc. Though I have to admit I'm pretty biased because I grew up with this adaptation and it's what inspired me to read the book.
I too prefer the 1994 version, but:
1. thought Laurie/Amy relationship was better done in the 2019 version (but would have preferred a younger actress as young Amy)
2. the 1994 Beth actress was TOTALLY miscast imo
I just know this is gonna make me read the book and watch the adaption lol
I haven't seen this but Forence Pugh is so good in Midsommar
My takeaway of her running after Laurie was actually more a moment that a lot of us women go through of, hmm, maybe better not to be alone, I'm not like other women, I may never get asked again. I think in her core she knew Laurie was like a brother. The acting conveyed this pretty well. She cared more about her sister Amy at the end of the day.
I adored the ending. The way they combined the book ending and spinster story line - brilliant.
The book is very much a tool to make girls into prim and proper woman. And where Ann of Green Gables was annoying in this scholar tone, Little Woman was simply charming.
I remember I started reading Little Women for fun in elementary school bc my mom loved it, but I never finished bc it just didn't capture my interest at the time. I think I made it to around the point when Amy started taking over as Aunt March's companion. That said I really enjoyed the movie when I went and saw it with my mom so I think it may be time to give the book another shot! I remember being fond of Amy despite her inital brattiness bc I'm also a youngest sister, so it's disappointing to hear her character arc got shortchanged. I also totally understand having some icky feelings about changing it so Jo regrets turning down Laurie when she doesn't in the book. Like you said, it's totally valid for her to change her mind about wanting to get married and have a family, but it feels a little weird to undermine her certainty that Laurie isn't the one for her. I did kind of read that scene as more Jo trying to convince herself she felt differently out of fear of being left behind more than actually realizing she had romantic feelings for Laurie, but it would have been refreshing for her to be sure of her feelings and not backpedal.
Merphy watch Arcane please! I would like to see how you would break down Arcane. It's a grimdark/fantasy show with deep characters and a fantastic world. It also has only nine episodes!
“YOUR ONE TRUE BEAUTYYYYYY”
I love your videos
I first listened to this book only a few years ago as a middle-aged adult - I was never exposed to it as a kid, and being a boy, it wasn't something it occurred to me to seek out. I didn't expect to like it - mostly because it sounded like it'd be too over-the-top saccharine and wholesome, and I was worried it would be like a cheesy Hallmark movie. But I found myself having a lot of respect for the book. It was wholesome, but unlike a Hallmark movie, it was never preachy and never insulted the reader's intelligence. It grappled with the transition to adulthood in a compassionate and insightful way.
Can you do a video on the 2003 version of Peter Pan?
I loved this adaptation, but the 1994 one will always be my favourite.
Have you seen the one with Christian Bale, that adoption is linear
Bro I loved UA-cam for this.I missed click some podcast about sigma male or some shit and youtube recommend this video below that😭
Having reread the book and having watched this adaptation 7 times, I have to say I like the movie better than the book. I don’t believe that adaptations have to be accurate to the text, I think they should actually try to do something new with it otherwise why adapt it in the first place
I´ve been looking for a book with a vibe similar to Little Women´s (atmospheric, wholesome, chill but interesting) for a very long while. Does anyone have any suggestions please??
Title change from id to it. Great vid though!
You know, I kinda wish you would do more spoiler stuff.
I love the book and the film from 1994. I love the casting, especially Christian Bale as Laurie. Greta Gerwig's adaptation wasn't good enough for me and the cast was off, although I love Ronan, Chalamet and Pugh as actors, they just didn't work for me in this story at all.
I felt like the movie was a... nice try. It tried to make two books to fit into a onr movie and the result was more or less confusing. But it caught some of the atmosphere, so I quite enjoyed it.
I loved the movie too 💘❤️💓
I like both the 2019 and the 1994 movies better than the book. That’s a rare opinion from me!
I've gotta say that unfortunately this movie failed for me not just as an adaptation, but as a movie. Having never read the book... Let me tell you, those time jumps were terrible. It made the first maybe quarter of the movie almost incomprehensible, which in turn impacted my awareness of pretty much all the character arcs. It also made the story feel like the point wasn't the character arcs, but instead the mystery of how everyone ended up the way they do in the future. And the weirdest part to me is that the time jumps didn't need to be like that. They could've just been clear about when each scene was taking place. I didn't even realize until towards the end that we were jumping back and forth between two points in time, it seemed to me like we were seeing scrambled fragments of their lives. I think if I hadn't been watching it in a theater and my partner could've explained to me what was going on earlier, I might've had a very different experience watching it.
I like the book, but I find it a little too preachy for my taste. I like that the movie didn't lean into that as much. I do agree that Meg and Amy's arcs, while good in the movie, are better and more fleshed out in the book. I didn't connect with Jo so much in the book, and preferred her in the movie. With Beth it's the other way around however: I didn't feel so much for her in the movie, but I adored her in the book.
Disliked what the adaption did with Amy. That little speech while written with the intention to explore her intentions more I felt stripped the character of a sense of agency.
Being from a family of four girls this book is very special to my family. I haven’t seen the new film, but our favorite adaptation is the 1933 version with Katherine Hepburn playing Jo, I highly recommend it. Also, this is a really good video talking about how they could have done so much more with the costumes to help show the time jumps! ua-cam.com/video/_sBqqERMblo/v-deo.html
How many more times are they gonna make that movie 200 lol.
I don't really care for classic literature. Most of it is boring for me. I also don't really care for period piece movies. I've never read Little Women and knew very little going in. Little Women was my second favorite movie of 2019.
idk why this gives me Sisters of the Travelling Pants
Irrelevant but you wrote patons on the end card😂
I remember my reading of it was way better then the movie.
I got nothing of worth to say here, just algo boosting the amiga
Hey merphy, i know you might not like it when op fans comment on your vids asking for more one piece content but i just have to ask. Where’s the pudding video? Lol.
Also didnt watch the vid cause you said spoilers. Might pick this up
😁
They have not written "Little Men " for obvious reasons..
Emma Watson should have been Jo. FULL STOP.
I remember that this movie failed and they blamed men.