This story was originally published in the fourth issue of The Bear Truth (March 10, 2020).

Gretta Gerwig brings a timeless rendition of Little Women, originally written as a novel in 1868 by Louisa May Alcott, to the table. Starring Timothee Chalamet, Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, and more, the remake elegantly portrays how a close-knit family comes together when times are hard. 

It is odd to mention a statement about spoilers with such a well-known piece in mind, however, to be considerate and appeal to the masses, there will be spoilers ahead.

The story line follows the protagonist, Jo March (played by Saoirse Ronan) and her journey of publishing her book manuscript. Placed in the Civil War Era, Jo fights as a pioneer for women in her day, as she preaches feministic ideals and ethics.

In a way, Gerwig’s adaptation of Little Women is a tale of the birth of an artist- a female author who exists in an era where women are treated with hostile intentions. Jo aims to give a voice to women when she declares, “I’m happy as I am, and love my liberty too well to be in a hurry to give it up for any mortal man.”

Laury, short for Theodore Laurence (played by Timothee Chalamet) serves the purpose of providing the Y chromosome to the abundant amount of females in the film. As he travels through Europe, he loses touch with Jo and rekindles his friendship with Amy, who is one of four March sisters.

This movie is what my generation needs. A movie that portrays women as capareable while still giving men credit. In the end, Jo publishes her book, and Amy gets her happy ending with Laury. In a gloomy winter season, with the Amazon and Australia fires, Little Women restores faith in the notion that ideals are worth striving for. The appreciation developed for the literary awakening of this film is well deserved.