Many would argue a large portion of modern cinema has consisted of remakeswhich have failed to live up to their predecessors’ quality with very few exceptions.
Some literary and cinematic works spawn endless rehashings as directors try decade after decade to capture lightning in a bottle for a second time.
One such example is the ageless tale of Little Women, the 1868 novel by Louisa May Alcott, which chronicles the lives of the March sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, as they manoeuvre poverty, love, and personal growth from adolescence to womanhood.
Seven attempts have been made to retell this story on the silver screen, with some more warmly received than others, dating as far back as 1917.
These films have featured Hollywood icons such as Elizabeth Taylor, who starred in the 1949 adaptation, as well as modern favourites like Winona Ryder, Susan Sarandon and Christian Bale, all of whom gave performances in Gillian Armstrong’s 1994 effort.
However, Greta Gerwig’s 2019 movie has been hailed by many as the best adaptation, with stellar performances from an all-star cast, which is now available to watch on Netflix.
The Barbie director’s take on Alcott’s tale stars Emma Watson in her final film to date, alongside Meryl Streep, Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Laura Dern, Timothée Chalamet and more.
Film review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes ranks the film as one of its highest rated within the last decade, with a 95% critic approval rating and 92% general audience score from more than 10,000 reviews.
“Every adaptation of Little Women has something that sets it apart from the others, but few have the sheer emotion and power that we see here with Gerwig’s interpretation,” contends film critic David Griffiths for Subculture Entertainment.
He adds: “Here Gerwig uncovers secret layers to the plot that lesser filmmakers would not have noticed, while at the same time she directs one of the most talented younger casts that modern-day cinema has ever seen assembled.
“If you leave preconceived notions you have about Little Women at the cinema door, you will find yourself totally drawn into this worthy drama.”
This 2019 feature also includes a powerful performance from Bob Odenkirk as Father March, a somewhat unexpected role for the actor who is widely recognised for his role as streetwise lawyer Saul Goodman in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.
Odenkirk’s portrayal is highlighted in many reviews of the film, including this five-star review by Rotten Tomatoes user, Vixo S, who says: “Little Women surprised me when I saw Bob Odenkirk playing the father — an unexpected but delightful detail.
“I love how the film uses cool or warm tones in certain scenes, depending on the emotional meaning of each moment, beautifully conveying the characters’ feelings and different stages of life.
“Greta Gerwig breathes new life into this classic story, staying true to its essence while making it feel fresh and relevant. The performances are outstanding, the art direction is gorgeous, and the non-linear narrative works perfectly to explore the emotions and memories of each sister in depth.”