Continuing our coverage of Oscar-nominated films, guest writer Tony Santiago has a look at Little Women, up for six Academy Awards.
Little Women, written and directed by Greta Gerwig, is the seventh film adaptation of the 1868 novel of the same name by Louisa May Alcott. Little Women is a triumph in direction and storytelling, a film that requires the undivided attention of the audience due to the story going from present to past and vice versa. With masterful precision by Gerwig, the film flows seamlessly and the journey provides big payoffs at the end.
The movie may be set in the late 1860s, but Gerwig gives the classic source material a much-needed modern twist. I left the theatre annoyed by the fact that Greta Gerwig did not receive an Oscar nod for direction.
Saoirse Ronan (Jo March) and Florence Pugh (Amy March) give brilliant performances which earned them both Oscar nods, Best Actress for Ronan, and Best Supporting Actress for Pugh. Emma Watson (Meg March) and Eliza Scanlen (Beth March) with Ronan and Pugh make up the four sisters the film follows. After the first 15-20 minutes, you’re completely taken by the love, annoyance, and devotion the sisters have for each other, which is a testament to the great performances delivered By Ronan, Pugh, Watson, and Scanlen.
Laura Dern, in another beautifully acted performance, plays the Mother of the March sisters. Meryl Strepp, Timothée Chalamet, Chris Cooper, and Bob Odenkirk round out this stellar ensemble cast, making this by far one best acted films of 2019.
Little Women is charming, clever, beautifully directed and acted, with an elegant score. The film is both timeless and modern in the most graceful way, and will be added to my top ten of 2019.
The film is nominated for 6 Academy Awards; Best Picture, Best Actress (Ronan) Best Supporting Actress (Pugh) Adapted Screenplay (Gerwig) Original Score (Alexandre Desplat) Costume Design Jacqueline Durran.
Tony Santiago posts non-spoiler reviews of both new and old-school movies, find more on instagram at sirtone_at_the_movies.