Little Women reviewed by Mark Kermode

[@andrewtucker94]

I'm a cynical twat with a shrivelled heart and I was trying not to cry for a good hour. What a film!

[@kleerude]

“There’s a reason this story keeps getting retold, but that doesn’t mean just anyone can come along and adapt it.” You hit the nail on the head. Unbelievable that Gerwig got snubbed at the Golden Globes.

[@geofthompson3844]

Saorise Ronan is one of the greatest actors in the world. She has been brilliant in everything she's ever done. And because of that, i never, not for a single moment, doubted that this film would be great. She has such a depth of emotion to her performance, and a realness, that just makes you believe her. She's amazing at doing the accents and the little mannerisms that bring a character to life. In my humble opinion she's the best of a very talented group of young women who have come to prominence recently. And in future years she will be talked about in the same breath as Meryl Streep and Judy Dench and Nicole Kidman and the rest of the greatest female icons in Hollywood.

[@bobjones9497]

Best film i've seen this year. Greta Gerwigs script is so good, Ronan and Pugh are electric on screen. A masterpiece

[@nicolab2075]

Just saw this tonight. I had never read the book, but now I see why everyone loves Jo. Saoirse Ronan and Laura Dern both wonderfully warm.

[@emb613]

I'm SO relieved to hear that this incarnation of Little Women feels as lovely as it looks!

[@jonathanb1406]

Greta Gerwig's repeated omission from nominations for directing for this, and Lady Bird actually is just absurd to me. And Saoirse Ronan is just staggering, honestly. Give all of them all of the awards.

[@juanp7873]

She was nominated for Ladybird, but yeah she definitely deserved another one for this

[@EmoBearRights]

Little Women was the first classic literature book I read and the first book I really bonded with. I was eleven.

[@Indietrix]

This is such a beautiful film. When Lady Bird came out, I saw a few naysayers suggesting that it wasn’t a complex enough film to warrant a Best Director nod for Gerwig. I disagree with that, but regardless, this film is so complicated and yet so well-handled that there’s no way people could level the same criticism!

[@KevTheImpaler]

I thought the Winona Ryder version was pretty good.

[@TheMidasTouched]

Hands down my favourite film of the year. Greta Gerwig has created pure cinema here. She carves her very own story - with its own unique voice - from the beloved source material in a manner which is both seamless and exemplary. It’s absolutely exquisite filmmaking.

[@electricbluetiramisu3713]

I’ve been excited for this for several months. To hear such a warm review from a critic whose opinion I really value has just really built that up!

[@elizabethparker8597]

Did nobody else find Emma Watson and Meryl Streep extremely distracting?! They took me out of the story as I was so aware it was Emma Watson and Meryl Streep, whereas with Saoirse Ronan, it doesn't matter how many things I've seen her in, she's so natural I'm engrossed.

[@Film365]

I am so happy to hear that both you and Prof Williams loved the film - I agree with everything Dr K says here. I thought it was very cleverly written, beautifully acted by the brilliant cast, it looks and sounds fantastic, and should be in the running for a whole bunch of industry awards.

[@ReligionOfSacrifice]

What do I think? I think Winona is an amazing actress who nailed Jo March in "Little Women" which is placed at #150 for the list of my all time favorite movies. The movie is in normal sequence and requires acting which with the other sisters did amazingly well also. The new 2019 movie with Saoirse gains emotion through contrast of scenes and not as well by the acting, but is amazing for a couple of changes. The hint of difference as if the whole thing is a story and not real in her being forced by conversation to add the meeting at the train station was brilliant, Saoirse's desire to not be alone while not wanting to be a subservient spouse was phenomenal, and her statement of agreeing to marry and writing a letter of such for Laurie to read was breath-taking. I enjoyed the story of 1994 better than 2019 and so the new movie does not even make the list of my favorite movies, but I was left feeling that this new actress Saoirse required me to look over what else she was in. I was left speechless... Mary Queen of Scots, which is not on my list, but her acting was very good and then I saw it... LADY BIRD which is ranked higher than any movie by Winona Ryder and it makes me want to know that if I believe this actress good and based on what I have wrote, what movies must I see by this amazing actress Saoirse Ronan? She was a very convincing Jo March and her behaviors beyond words showed she got the idea of the spirit of the woman so very well. Strong, but doubting. She was a very convincing Mary Queen of Scots. Strong willed and ready to put anyone in their place, even one over her in authority. She was a very convincing LADY BIRD, the spirit of the average girl of this age.

[@ScorpiousDelectus]

Cishet 41yr old male here, this movie was my first introduction to the story and I have to say, I can't remember the last time I was so thoroughly charmed by a film.

[@The1starberry]

Cant wait to watch it. I loved the 90's version with winona ryder.

[@olsinbad6815]

excellent point regarding lord of the rings and harry potter. I finished this film half an hour ago and I'm struggling to come to terms with how I cant be a janitor at the school!

[@TheAnadromist]

Just saw it. I'm going to have to give Gillian Armstrong's 1994 version the nod for the superior version. The fragmented story line here and the meta moment in the publishers office at the end lowered it a bit for me. Also the music was nonstop giving us no room to breathe. And while this score was good in the abstract, James Newton Howard's score in 1994 was truly magical and can't be bested. But Saoirse Ronan was perhaps the best Jo ever. . .

[@thomasbland5450]

I saw this film in chunks over a few days. Before the last 30 minutes, I thought it was on the way to being a really great film. Then I saw the last 10 minutes and it left me feeling really conflicted. I saw Marks review ahead of time and noted that he compared the ending to Adaptation. I didnt see how that could be possible at the midway point, but now having seen it all I know exactly what he means. The ambiguous ending didnt sit well with me, and it definitely effected my overall impression of the film. Im sure some loved the ending for what it was trying to do, but it really took me out of moment. I really dont know what to make of it.

[@aussieskates]

Mark: There are umpteen versions. Me: There are four. All kidding aside. I am really looking forward to this adaptation.

[@SA-wg3dl]

Brilliant movie. However I liked the 1994’s Jo and Marmee more. Also, young Amy should’ve been played by another actress to show the age development.

[@matthewsteinke639]

Thank you Mr. Kermode! I thought that it looked like Barry Lyndon as well! It has the style of a Stanley Kubrick film and the heart of a Terrence Malick picture in my opinion. And I'm so glad that it's all around a Greta Gerwig film. She deserves an Oscar this year.

[@bluview9308]

Will I understand it without having read the previous films or the books ?

[@pixiehood557]

I didn't hate it, the cinematography was lovely and for the most part the acting was excellent with one notable exception. In terms of editing I enjoyed the temporal shifts but the cutting intra-scene left something to be desired. Also, there were times where the diegetic music did not make sense with the action. I would love to put together a composite LW with all the best performances from the talkies; Ronan as Jo, Alvarado as Meg, O'Brien as Beth and Dunst as Amy. Special mention for Rossano Brazzi's Professor Bhaer.

[@misterrpjd]

I do rate Mark Kermode's reviews so was quite surprised to hear his high praise for this film. I didn't engage with the first half at all and I found the back and forth nature of the time line confusing and disorientating. The portrayal of Marches and that of Marme in particular felt saccharine and unbelievable. I did warm to it more during the second half and even shed a tear at the end, but given I'm usually an emotional wreck who can't help bawling at the slightest tug of the heart strings that doesn't say too much. For me it felt very long and I was glad to get to the end.

[@michellebiland5163]

Great. Thanks Mark I really want to see this. 👍👍

[@designate_om]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who got heavy Barry Lyndon vibes from this film's lighting

[@copperdog]

I’m a 25 year old straight men who never read the book and I loved the film. My favorite of the year with Parasite and Marriage Story

[@dmd7472]

I've tried to read the book so many times but just couldn't get into it. But being a boring woke black dude I feel it's only right to support a Feminist book. Anyway 5 mins into the film and I'm absolutely transported. At moments I'm clapping like a seal. Cinema (sky movies on a Sunday) at it's best

[@Richard_Jones]

Never read nor seen an adaptation, now I just might.

[@kitano0]

I thought of Barry Lyndon when I saw the trailers...can't wait to see this, and it's usually not my type of movie.

[@huw3851]

I loved it. I was not expecting to and I didn't think the casting would work that well. But I was wrong, they were all great and it looked great and the story was expertly told.

[@insertnamehere1867]

can't wait to see this over Christmas!

[@paraboo8994]

So glad to hear it's good. I'm really looking forward to watching it ❤

[@WildwoodClaire1]

I didn't "love it." I liked it, I thought it was good, but it's not one that I'm likely to return to again and again in years to come.

[@tonybmw5785]

I thought it was a good film, great sets, costumes, really high production values, great acting and directing (well worthy of awards), but I sat there in cinema beside 'she who is to be obeyed' bored out of my mind. Perhaps if I had not seen the story umpteen times in its various incarnations (my wife feels the same as Mark's) it might have hooked my attention, but for all I can admire the craft that went into making it after an hour I was struggling at times to stay awake.

[@Windupchronic]

I loved it. It's my number three movie of the year. It's just wonderful.

[@chris-dl2pj]

i watched Little Women today,i thought it was pretty amazing really,i had to sit right at the back of the picturehouse,so no one saw me cry..Thank you.

[@PranavanathanYoganathan]

This was a great film, it also does a good job of portraying all the March sisters.

[@adamhendrickson512]

Adam Hendrickson loved it...

[@jeebs621]

I’ve always seen the book and stayed away from it when I had to do essays/reports. Up until this review, I had never known what the hell little women was even about😂😂😂

[@Ben_Mdws]

Having never read the book, or watched previous adaptations, I found the jumping timeline quite awkward. Also, was Timothée Chalamet character intended to be a total sleaze bag?

[@65g4]

I loved this film seen it twice

[@cncshrops]

Wonderful review, thank you.

[@WildwoodClaire1]

I wonder how many viewers who "love" this new version of the story are aware of the second half of the book. It is as dull, anti-feminist a slog as can be imagined, fully endorsing the 19th century American patriarchy. In fact, the BEST thing one can say about EVERY film version of this story is that each pretends the second half of the book does not exist.

[@HolisticHealthWithHarry]

Liked it! Gerwig can direct pure class

[@fabrisseterbrugghe8567]

I love the book, love two prior film versions (the Katharine Hepburn and the Winona Ryder), and went "meh" at this one. My biggest problem was the character assassination of Amy. Some of it came from not splitting the role a la the 1994 version, but what's acceptable - barely - from an impulsive child - burning something previous to your sibling - is horrid when it's premeditated, prolonged, and performed by a near adult. Timothee Chalamet's Laurie never really gelled for me and the proposal scene was awful.

[@skinoff89]

Excited for this

[@br0k3nsharpener2]

where is uncut gems?

[@TomRipley7350]

Pugh is actually pronounced pug, like the dog, but with a silent H. She said on Kimmel.

[@geowynleda4641]

I don't care how good it is, if it doesn't start with '"Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents." Grumbled Jo' I don't want to see it.

[@SpecialAgentBillMaxwell]

So, there are eighteen versions of the film. (17 reboots!) A moratorium needs to be placed on it. Honestly, there are others stories out there.

[@anzolomyer4584]

"Li' 'el Women."

[@jannyjan90]

Just seen it and i feel so bad saying I hated it but... I hated it. So many odd choices for me like not havng a young and older Amy and the talking hear pieces didn't work. Don't get me wring good acting but for me the 1994 version did it better.

[@marcusmaksym7804]

Good review bossman

[@clash5j]

Chalamet was miscast to me. No doubt he is talented and a good looking young man, but he just seemed so boyish as compared to the female actors

[@loiracitr]

I found so cynical how Beth funeral is basically the moment to discuss romantic settings for her sisters. Is it like that in the books? Justice for Beth!

[@joeshimwell1269]

saw it on boxing day was great !!

[@talentedgc]

I loved it!

[@gcooper642]

sold

[@anjulamutanda2000]

Sweet film. Movie belongs to Florence Pugh, Emma Watson is forgettable.

[@OfflineSetup]

Any killer robots?

[@jackieharper5520]

Watched your review again . You mention your wife a lot . .who Is a massive Little Women fan and who accompanied you . .do you think you were swayed by her ????

[@The1starberry]

Hi 👍

[@thefandomrealm]

My first response is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYqXnH6Jr7mGoZY Soirse Ronan and Timothee Chalamet were great.

[@GuyWithACamera23]

A film with a predominately female cast featuring Florence Pugh, directed by a woman and Mark loves it. What a shocker!

[@jackieharper5520]

I've always been very dedicated to learning what your opinion is of any new film releases and as a consequence have always trusted and respected your judgement . .until now . Just seen this film . It was awful . The cast ... with the exception of Florence Pugh and the young lady who Played Beth who were both excellent. . . was appalling . .. Greta Gerwig couldn't direct traffic. Absolutely dreadful . .

[@ryanyates4124]

Erm

[@robertedwards3654]

Saw it at Vue - noisy clattery females, so loud, the sound effects where over the top, I couldn't enjoy it because of this. Will enjoy it more when I can watch on my TV and control the volume and turn on the subtitles!

[@ellenspear50]

So, Mr Kermode, your mother didn't threaten you when you cried or might cry? Lucky human, you seem to cry very easily.

[@TomRipley7350]

It should have been a woke version made with men called "Little Non-Binaries". They missed a golden opportunity in my book.

[@eoinMB3949]

I went to see this boxing day and I'm still trying to process what I saw : A film which to me, was about absolutely nothing, yet I was surrounded by a cinema full of crying women????? It was over 2 hours long and it was 2 hours of me wondering when the plot would kick in.....it never did.

[@jayceewriter7826]

Gerwig is completely overrated and too many versions.

[@jimmyprantalos6482]

Oh god....its gonna be WOKE i just know it

[@etaylor8028]

I don't know. I'm a woman and I cringed when the Little Women trailer played before my movie at the cinema. I find Meg's character to be far more likable than Jo's. I haven't actually seen the film, though.