Monday, January 13, 2020

Little Women (and the power of relating)

If you've been on the internet at all the last few weeks, you've probably seen a trailer advertised for the 2019 Little Women movie. Maybe you've even seen friends lending their opinions to social media. I'm here to add my voice to the crowd in praising it as a film but also diving into why I found it to be so masterful.


I was thrilled to see Little Women nominated for a host of Academy Awards, because I do think the film deserves it. But it wasn't the movie's female director, predominantly female cast, historically accurate portrayal of a woman's plight, or breathtaking cinematography that made it memorable to me, as Hollywood is espousing.

I think the reason I loved it so much was simply because I related to it.

I've consumed a lot of movies and books in my lifetime, but the ones that stick with me are the ones I relate to. The ones that touched me in ways I didn't expect, resounded with something deeply personal. 

The beauty of the entire story of Little Women to me is that it takes a single family and shows you a million different sides of life. Different dreams, different life paths; different virtues, different struggles ... all born out of a shared upbringing. I think that the story succeeds in offering true diversity in character. And by doing so, it also offers a wealth of points for readers (or viewers) to grab onto and say, "I feel that. I understand because that's me."

For me, I'm always going to relate to Meg as the firstborn girl. The one who has the traditional dreams and won't be laughed at for them. 

I also relate to Jo as a restless soul with a pen in her hand, with which she hopes to make a difference.

Perhaps you're more like Beth, Amy, or even Laurie.

This particular version of Little Women did well, I think, because it chose to tell more than just Jo's story. Greta Gerwig took a beloved classic and filmed it to create a contrast between life as an adolescent and life as an adult. By doing this, it gave everyone something to relate to. Loss. Growing up. Dreams. Disenchantment. Struggle. This made each character's personal journey more powerful and authentic, despite how much they were like us.

So as a writer, keep in mind that people don't always need something brand new. They just need something familiar framed in a new light, with new people living it.

I hope all of you go see the new Little Women and thoroughly enjoy it for the masterpiece that it is. (Yes, even if you didn't like the book!)

The magic of story always amazes me, no matter the medium, and this movie's rendition of one of my favorite classics was no different.

~~~~~

Long time no see! This post was going to be an Instagram post, but I decided the blog needed dusting off, and I needed more room. ;)

But that wasn't exactly a typical review, was it? Have you seen the new movie? Read the book? Which March sister do you relate to most? Tell me your thoughts!!

19 comments:

  1. Ahh yes!!! Great post, Abi!

    (I kind of relate to all of the sisters in a way!) XD

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    1. Thanks! It's neat that you can find a way to relate to all of them!

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  2. Glad to see you blogging again. I haven't seen the movie yet, but I have heard a lot of great things about it and really want to see it now!

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    1. You'll have to tell me what you think if you get a chance to go see it! I definitely recommend it. ;)

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  3. YAY for blogging and Little Women! I adore the story in general and was so happy to hear you enjoyed it!

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    1. Haha thanks. Yeah, I'm always going to give Little Women things a shot. But I was very pleasantly pleased with this one!

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  4. I'll probably see it once it's available to rent. Don't often get out to the movie theatres, living out in the boondocks with a bunch of animals to care for once I get home from work.

    That being said, I'd really like to see it! It sounds really good!

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    1. Yep, that makes sense. I hope you enjoy it when you get a chance to watch it! <3

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  5. I'm so glad you loved it so much!!! <3

    And I agree--they did a wonderful job showcasing each character and making them relatable. I understood Jo March WAY BETTER in this movie than I ever have before: I think I truly related to her for the first time. (Although I still related to Beth, who was originally my 'me' character from Little Women. I love Beth because she's shy and has a hard time expressing herself except through art.)

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    1. Aww that's awesome! Yeah, I found that all the characters were more well-rounded because they were showing you ALL of their stories. I can see the value in doing a movie through just Jo's eyes like the 90's version did. I loved that this method gives so many different ways to relate to ALL the characters and understand them better! Beth is a sweetheart, and I loved that they spotlighted her and Mr. Lawrence a little more. <3

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  6. Hm, it sounds pretty good. Maybe I’ll actually have to try it. ��
    Also, it’s lovely to have you back!! <33

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  7. I so want to see this film, if only it wasn't so cold outside in Alberta! From what I've seen through the trailers and from the book, I totally agree with your notion of simply relating to the story. One clip from the new movie that's been shared that absolutely resonated with me and made me super emotional is when Jo is talking to Marmee in the attic, "Women, they have minds, and they have souls, as well as just hearts. And they've got ambition, and they've got talent, as well as just beauty. I'm so sick of people saying that love is just all a woman is fit for...I'm so sick of it!" And then pauses to add that "But, I'm so lonely!" If ever there was a performance, a line, a moment in cinema that captured the essence of some of my biggest struggles, it was that. And I kind of want to watch the film just to see that one scene. Also, because Saoirse Ronan is literal perfection and deserves to win her Oscar. ;)
    Excited to see a new post from you!

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    1. Ugh that was one of the BEST scenes. Not gonna lie, I cried my eyes out. (More than once, but definitely at that part.) So, so relatable! I really hope she gets her Oscar as well. Those often feel like politically motivated nominations to me, but man, she totally deserves it on so many levels!

      And thanks! It felt really great to post again. :)

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  8. Oh this sounds so good!! I haven't seen it yet; but I've seen it Around On The Internet™, and I've heard it was good! Now I really want to watch it. :)

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    1. Haha, yes! It's been everywhere, and I was super tentative about my hopes going into it. But it totally delivered, and I was VERY happy. xD Let me know your thoughts if you go see it!

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  9. I'm really interested in seeing the movie now that I've heard people saying such good things about it! I've read the book, but it's been yeeaars, so I really need to read it again. I'll have to get to that soon! Great post! :D

    theonesthatreallymatter.blogspot.com

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    1. Watching the movie definitely made me want to read the book again! (My cousin, who went to see it with me, went home and did just that, haha.) It's not my favorite book ever, but I do in general love Louisa May Alcott. There's a lot of relatable beauty and gentle, feminine power to her stories! <3

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  10. I love how you shared how you relate to each character! I enjoyed the new movie so much.
    Abi

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