A Sony Picture, Written and Directed by Greta Gerwig.
This is quite simply one of the best films of the year. Despite the story being known the world across and having had multiple adaptations throughout the years, this version feels fresh and relevant. This is due to many things; the re-ordering of the story, the writing, and the performances.
With both her screenplay and direction, Gerwig is a tour de force, making us really feel for the characters and connect to them in a way rarely possible. She deserves awards attention.
When it comes to the performances, the whole cast is top notch, and it is arguably the best ensemble of the year. James Norton, Chris Cooper, and Meryl Streep all make their small roles memorable. Laura Dern is getting a lot of awards buzz for Marriage Story, but this is comfortably her best film performance of the year and should be what she is nominated for.
Emma Watson and Eliza Scanlen have had less press due to having the less flashy roles, but I think they both do a good job, making you root for their kind hearted characters.
Florence Pugh is having a hell of a break out year, and I think this could be her best performance yet. As the older Amy she brings real internal conflict and relatability to an often misunderstood character. As younger Amy she is bratty and childish, and brilliant at it, providing some of the funniest moments of the film. Seeing a Pugh (a woman in her early 20s) in a classroom full of 13 year olds was one of the most unintentionally hilarious scenes of the year, it felt like her version of Elf.
Although the characters of Jo and Laurie were created in 1868, it seems as if they were made specifically for Saoirse Ronan and Timothée Chalamet. The chemistry between the two is undeniable and they fit perfect.
Chalamet brings real charisma, playfulness and sense of a good heart to Laurie and he has amazing chemistry with multiple of the March sisters. James Dean doesn’t need digitally resurrecting, because his replacement is right here.
As for Ronan, she is unlikely to win beat actress, but I truly believe she should. She has been nominated multiple times already at such a young age and here she is superb. She is headstrong, vulnerable and totally unsure of her own ability to succeed, which is something all artists and most people relate to.
Both Pugh and Ronan (Ronan especially) have monologues in the film that were truly transfixing. This film broke my heart and then made it back up again. Truly wonderful.
Rating = 4.5/5
Howe's World of Film and TV 