The film delves into the world of the outsider. Charlie (Logan Lerman) is a shy introvert just starting high school and to say he answers to the beat of a different drum is a bit of an understatement. Lerman plays Charlie as a complex character who seems to be submerging quite a few deep-seated emotions and anxieties. The film is very measured in its efforts to disclose the reasons behind these emotions.

He is soon befriended by a very engaging group of fellow outsiders lead by Patrick (Ezra Miller) and Sam (Emma Watson). This unlikely group bond in many ways and their forming camaraderie underpins the central story. Charlie also experiences the developing emotions of love as he falls for Sam.

With a story like this, it is at times difficult to know how true to character the end results actually are as most less than popular people’s personal experience with the early days of high school were anything but a celebration of being different. The film is also a little unfocused as it crams a lot of sub text in the story without a lot of detail.

Seen as a pleasant coming of age story about an unassuming outsider, the film will win over viewers but the undercurrents that could have made it a more arresting experience are glossed over. It kind of makes you think that it was test marketed and found to be a bit too deep and cut accordingly. That or time constraints were imposed. I guess the medium discussion on this film might end up with the conclusion that it has become the medium of commerce.

Rob Hudson
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Gerwig gives the film a contemporary feel with the liberal use of different timelines, yet offers few visual cues so it necessitates the need of the audience to pay close attention. She also plays on the actors strong points and minimises their lesser strengths. Although allowing Emma Watson’s occasional reversion to her English accent is an odd oversight.

Often considered the American equivalent of what Jane Austin offered the British readers, minus the sharp wit, Little Women highlights the frustrations and limitations that women faced on both sides of the pond. That in the time frame over fifty years after Austin’s stories were based still saw the same restrictions in the New World only spoke to the frustratingly slow progress that women of that period faced.

Life in the eighteen hundreds, especially during the US Civil War was much harsher than this version illustrates but its presentation of female empowerment is a timeless positive. It’s unrealistically idilic ending not withstanding, the ideas in the original book planted the seeds to fight for a more enlightened and necessary mindset. Unfortunately it’s a struggle that still exists today. Meaningful popular culture can shine a light on changes that need to be made and Little Women is illuminating.

Rob Hudson
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In Gerwig’s take, the beloved story of the March sisters – four young women each determined to live life on her own terms – is both timeless and timely. Portraying Jo, Meg, Amy, and Beth March, the film stars Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, with Timothee Chalamet as their neighbour Laurie, Laura Dern as Marmee, and Meryl Streep as Aunt March.

Directed by Greta Gerwig, Little Women stars Timothée Chalamet, Chris Cooper, Laura Dern, Louis Garrel, Tracy Letts, James Norton, Bob Odenkirk, Florence Pugh, Saoirse Ronan, Eliza Scanlen, Meryl Streep and Emma Watson, and is in Australian Cinemas New Years Day!
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