Little Women 2019

In the year 1868, Jo March, portrayed by the talented Saoirse Ronan, finds herself teaching in the bustling city of New York. Striving to support her family, she approaches editor Mr. Dashwood, played by Tracy Letts, to publish her latest story. After enduring significant revisions, Jo manages to secure a modest payment of $20 for her hard work. She resides in a boarding house aptly named “Little Women.” As the family’s financial struggles continue, Jo feels the weight of responsibility, especially with her sister Amy, embodied by Florence Pugh, across the ocean in Paris, engaged in the pursuit of a wealthy suitor to assist their family’s plight.

In Paris, Amy, who is accompanied by their formidable Aunt March, played by Meryl Streep, unexpectedly encounters Laurie, portrayed by Timothée Chalamet, her childhood friend. Tensions rise when, during a party, Laurie’s inebriated antics stir anger in Amy, marking the end of his infatuation with Jo, who remains in New York. There, Jo crosses paths with Friedrich Bhaer, a scholarly character portrayed by Louis Garrel, who both admires her and critiques her writing. After receiving alarming news about her sister Beth’s declining health, played by Eliza Scanlen, Jo rushes home, determined to care for her family.

The story also flashes back to the year 1861 in Concord, Massachusetts, where Jo and her eldest sister Meg, depicted by Emma Watson, attend a joyous gathering. It is here that Jo first meets Laurie, the charming grandson of their neighbor Mr. Laurence, portrayed by Chris Cooper. On Christmas Day, their mother, Marmee, brought to life by Laura Dern, encourages her daughters to share their breakfast with their less fortunate neighbor, Mrs. Hummel. When the girls return home, they discover an abundant feast awaiting them, a generous gift from Mr. Laurence alongside a heartfelt letter from their father, who is valiantly serving in the Civil War.

Jo’s journey further intertwines with her Aunt March, who extends an invitation for Jo to join her on a European adventure. Meanwhile, Amy tries to divert Laurie’s affections from Jo towards herself, leading to a series of heartfelt and emotional moments. The complex relationships deepen when, in a moment of jealousy, Amy burns Jo’s cherished writings, causing a rift between the sisters. However, their bond is tested when Amy finds herself in peril while skating, leading Jo to confront her feelings of guilt.

The larger narrative threads in their lives reflect not only their desires but also their struggles. Meg faces peer bullying over her attire, prompting her to buy an expensive dress, much to John Brooke’s, played by James Norton, chagrin. Despite disapprovals, Meg eventually chooses love and commitment by deciding to marry John.

As the plot continues to unfold, Laurie humbles himself and seeks forgiveness from Amy. Their shared moments lead to unexpected love, even as tragedy strikes with Beth’s passing. Their mother Marmee learns of an illness affecting their father, and during this tumultuous time, Jo grows closer to her sisters through their collective challenges and experiences.

Jo’s feelings for Laurie culminate in a moment of decision, but she stands by her convictions and turns him down again. Only when Amy returns from Europe does the true nature of affections unfold, leading to a marriage between Amy and Laurie, sealing Jo’s choice to remain steadfastly independent.

As Jo immerses herself in her writing once more, she wrestles with the demands of publishing, crafting a narrative that resonates deeply with her and her sisters’ lives. Jo ultimately makes adjustments to satisfy the publisher, committing to a storyline that would see her character chase after her own happiness. When her novel, titled Little Women, finds its way to print, Jo also takes on the mantle of educator, establishing a school in Aunt March’s home.

Through heartache, joy, love, and ambition, this saga of the March sisters weaves an intricate portrait of life, family, and the pursuit of dreams. Jo’s journey of self-discovery amidst the trials of their era reflects the timeless essence of resilience.