OPINION: One Story, Many Adaptations: Appreciating "Little Women" in Film and Television

Graphic by Shae-Lynn Henderson

For those who are unfamiliar with “Little Women:” spoiler alerts ahead 

As an English major and film enthusiast, I was thrilled when Greta Gerwig’s “Little Women” adaptation was released in 2019. Starring Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, Emma Watson and Eliza Scanlen as the four sisters, this film captures the magic of the beloved novel. 

This story has always been special to me, and the non-linear storytelling of the film was a new take I had never seen before. I was in awe of Gerwig’s ability to capture the story so well by weaving together the past and future storylines.

That was, until I watched it with someone who didn’t know the story beforehand. I love introducing new people to my favorite movies, so I was really excited to show my partner the world of “Little Women.” I knew he wasn’t familiar with the story of Luisa May Alcott’s “Little Women,” but from what I could recall that wasn’t going to be that much of an issue. 

By the time the first time jump happened, we already had the movie paused so I could explain what was happening. It was then that I realized, maybe this movie was harder to understand than I thought. As we continued watching, we had to pause multiple times for me to explain where in the story we were.

Since I’ve only watched this movie with the foreknowledge of having read “Little Women” and watched multiple other (linear) adaptations, I hadn’t realized how difficult this version could be to watch having no prior knowledge. Watching it through the perspective of someone who doesn’t know the characters and storyline by heart was eye-opening. It became hard to explain what was happening at points because of how confusing the weaving of storylines was. After it was finished, he had enjoyed the movie (I mean how could you not between the cinematography, setting and costumes), but I could tell it was an effort on their part to lock in enough to follow the storyline. I decided we should watch a linear adaptation at a later point before returning to this movie again. 

I am a big fan of Gerwig’s vision, don’t get me wrong, but I do think in order to fully understand this movie, one must have prior knowledge of “Little Women” to fully appreciate this masterpiece. I now understand more than ever: context is key! 

I also feel Beth’s storyline is most impactful when told through a linear format. When Beth gets sick for the first time in Greta Gerwig’s adaptation, it’s the illness that ultimately leads to her death. Immediately launching into the most intense part of the film doesn’t allow the viewer time to get attached to the character. This means that when she dies, it doesn’t hit as hard for the audience as it is intended to. 

If you’re looking to dive into the world of “Little Women” for the first time (without reading the book), I’d recommend the 2017 BBC One “Little Women” TV miniseries starring Maya Hawke as Jo March. This has always been my favorite adaptation, especially because of the episode format. While each episode is around an hour long, I feel this version is able to give the most accurate, in-depth depiction of the novel. In a perfect world, this cast would feature Timothée Chalemet as Laurie (there’s no doubt the role was made for him). But, overall I find this version both visually beautiful, well-cast and a lovely visualization of a well beloved story.

By Grayson Morris, Co-Podcasting Director