Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Croney

(4,659 posts)
Wed Dec 25, 2019, 09:01 PM Dec 2019

We just saw Little Women. My hopes were very high.

I loved her books so much as a kid, I named my youngest daughter (now 41) Amy, and she grew up to be an artist too! But none of the cast of this movie matches how I see them in my head, or actors in previous movie adaptations.

If you haven't read Little Women, like my husband, your main problem will be with continuity. If you've read the book, you'll recognize all the major plot points as they check them off.

Scenery is nice. It's entertaining, and does not plod. The sad part was truly sad. I don't know why I didn't love this movie more.

19 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

captain queeg

(10,188 posts)
1. Always an issue when you've read something first before it's a movie
Wed Dec 25, 2019, 09:11 PM
Dec 2019

Especially for a favorite book. Maybe you’ve even read it more than once. So you have characters defined in your mind. Maybe you don’t realize it. For me it’s not like I have a firm idea of what they should look like or act. I just know the movie version of the person is wrong.

Croney

(4,659 posts)
2. You're right. I wanted them to look a certain way and they didn't.
Wed Dec 25, 2019, 09:34 PM
Dec 2019

The acting was pretty good; I shouldn't judge so harshly. Maybe I'll read the book again and try to picture Emma Watson as Meg. 🙂

dhol82

(9,353 posts)
3. Agree. For me the movie was meh.
Wed Dec 25, 2019, 09:59 PM
Dec 2019

Lovely cinematography, nice acting. Nothing really grabbed me.
Thought Thimotee Chalame was miscast. Did not like Laura Dern’s portrayal of the mother.
Also, at least a half hour toooooo long.

Laffy Kat

(16,377 posts)
4. I loved the book, too, and the older movie with a young June Allyson.
Wed Dec 25, 2019, 10:01 PM
Dec 2019

I've decided not to see this one. I'm afraid I'll be disappointed.

I've been recommending "Knives Out" to everyone. It is a clever, unpredictable and entertaining movie.

Croney

(4,659 posts)
6. Yes, June Allyson and Katharine Hepburn both played Jo,
Wed Dec 25, 2019, 10:22 PM
Dec 2019

and it's hard to match that kind of talent.

We enjoyed Knives Out too.

LakeArenal

(28,817 posts)
9. Greer Garson also played Jo
Wed Dec 25, 2019, 11:40 PM
Dec 2019

She was over 30 playing a teenager. It’s pretty bad.
Not crazy about Wynona Rider’s version either.

Me.

(35,454 posts)
7. Haven't Seen The Movie, Just Clips
Wed Dec 25, 2019, 10:28 PM
Dec 2019

and those made me disinclined to see it. They didn't have money for lots of clothes, Meg was distressed when she went to a party and scorched their one good party frock. Also, it seems to have a 20th-century sensibility, Jo sitting there in bowler (and Vest?) talking %s. I don't know.

LisaM

(27,810 posts)
11. The previews were so bad I almost walked out on them.
Thu Dec 26, 2019, 06:45 PM
Dec 2019

I asked my friend if she'd ever walked out on a preview! It sounded like speeches at the Women's March, and Marmee seemed horrendously miscast. And Glenn Close just seemed to be playing herself, not Aunt March (I gleaned this from the previews, haven't seen it yet).

whathehell

(29,067 posts)
12. ""It sounded like speeches at a Women's march"
Mon Dec 30, 2019, 09:15 AM
Dec 2019

That might be because the fight for Women's Rights in this country had started more than a decade before the time setting of Little Women. The feminist sensibility was not necessarily some false 21st century overlay.

https://www.womenshistory.org/resources/general/woman-suffrage-movement

LisaM

(27,810 posts)
13. You don't need to be so condescending. The dialogue did not sound like the book.
Mon Dec 30, 2019, 03:17 PM
Dec 2019

It sounded too modern, and I'm pretty sure none of it was written by Louisa May Alcott. I wouldn't have known it was supposed to be "Little Women" at all if it weren't for the names.

mitch96

(13,895 posts)
8. " I don't know why I didn't love this movie more."
Wed Dec 25, 2019, 10:59 PM
Dec 2019

I just saw Ford vs Ferrari and felt the same way. I'm a big gear head and had high expectations for the movie...... meh... It was good but did not make my mythical bar....
I hate when that happens... Oh well.. I guess I'll go see Little Women. Never read the book and I like Saoirse Ronan and Meryl Streep's acting...
m

La Coliniere

(603 posts)
14. Never read the book
Mon Dec 30, 2019, 06:57 PM
Dec 2019

...but saw the movie with my wife a few nights ago. I enjoyed both the 1940s and 90s versions of the famous novel, but had a hard time staying awake for Gerwig's retelling of the story. I believe it was a mistake not to tell the story in chronological order, the constant juxstaposition of past and present was ultimately confusing, creating unnecessary roadblocks in the flow of the narrative. Casting was also a problem for me; none of the sisters looked like they were kin and the youngest sister, Amy (Florence Pugh) came across as the eldest of the bunch. This was disappointing since I really enjoyed Greta Gerwig's great first attempt as writer/director, Lady Bird.

bif

(22,700 posts)
17. I enjoyed it.
Wed Feb 12, 2020, 11:54 AM
Feb 2020

The constant jumping back and forth in time got to be a bit annoying, but overall, I thought it was very well done.

Chalco

(1,308 posts)
18. Watched Little Women yesterday
Sun May 31, 2020, 11:18 AM
May 2020

I liked and didn't like the movie. Won't go into all that but one thing really
confused me. The going back and forth in time. Beth was dying of Scarlet Fever.
Then, Jo, I think, has a dream and we see Beth alive, getting married, etc.
Then, Jo wakes up and there's a funeral. It's not clear who died.
Then, at some point Beth is back again. Not sure whether the section was from
the past or if I still didn't know if Beth was dead.

Very confusing. Did Beth die of Scarlet Fever?

Croney

(4,659 posts)
19. She certainly died, but I don't remember if they said what she died of.
Sun May 31, 2020, 11:58 AM
May 2020

I agree, the back-and-forth was confusing.

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Movies»We just saw Little Women....