Reflecting on ‘Little Women’ (2019): A Tale of Sisterhood, Love, and Self-Discovery

I just finished Little Women (2019), a heartwarming movie about the March sisters based on the same-titled novel by Louisa May Alcott. It tells us the struggles and joys of having siblings, as well as the challenges one family could face. The movie also highlights the struggles of women during the time period when their choices were limited. I love this movie so much! The characters, the acting, and the costumes are just👌👌

As I was reading Little Women, I couldn’t help but feel a strong connection to the characters Laurie, Jo, and Amy.

When Laurie confessed his love to Jo, who was also his childhood best friend, and received rejection, I felt the same pain he did. His behavior at the party in Paris, where he was drunk and surrounded by other girls, was a clear indication of how he was struggling to deal with the rejection. He tried to find escape and rebound by surrounding himself with many people. However, it was heartwarming to see him finally find love and happiness with Amy. I believe it was time for him to receive the love and attention he deserved from someone who loved him completely (also it’s weird to me because Amy is Jo’s sister).

Regarding Amy and Laurie, I can understand how Amy felt tired of Laurie because he gave her false hope during their Paris trip by sending mixed signals. If I were in Amy’s shoes, I would also be confused, and feel as if I’m just a second choice. Moreover, it seems a bit awkward for Amy to receive Laurie as her husband given the fact that he used to have a crush on her sister, Jo. That’s weird (I could never).

One thing about (mature) Amy that I loved is that she was realistic, and dared to take an opportunity. She wanted to marry rich because that’s what was expected of her. It was her only choice at that time period to save her family financially. Watch Florence Pugh’s brilliant portrayal of Amy below:

As for Jo, I get her struggles in trying to be her own person. It’s hard because sometimes people underestimate you just because you’re a girl. It’s tough for women who prefer not to follow the conventional ideal. One of her dialogues that resonates with me was:

“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 all a woman is fit for. I’m so sick of it. But I’m so lonely.”

I completely understand how sometimes it felt lonely during the struggles of making our own name, becoming our own person, or heading to where we want.

I’m happy that Jo has her own happy ending like building her own school, inheriting a house from Aunt March, and publishing her book. I’m also glad that this 2019 version decided that she had an open ending to her relationship with Frederick, and the continuity of their relationship is up to us the audience.

P.S. Below was written in 2023:

When I wrote the review in 2021, I forgot about the dynamics of Meg and Beth. Meg is the oldest of the March siblings, and Beth is the third sibling. However, I think they share a similarity of personas, they are both people-pleasers and trying to keep the family together.

Meg, as the oldest sibling, tried to follow the ideal and conventional type of good. She altered her personality to adjust and please other people. We can see this when she attends a ball and she lets the rich girls dress her up and give her a pet name. When she married John, she adjusted her lifestyle to his and started to feel guilty when she wanted something normal, such as a new dress. However, I can understand that from her POV she probably yearns for that simple family life with John, and to be a mother. Even though her dreams are different than Jo’s, doesn’t mean they’re unimportant.

As for Beth, she was described as generous, sweet, and shy. She’s musically talented, and the one that kept the family strong during hardships. One thing I noticed about Beth is that her only desire in the future was to just stay in the house with their mother and father, while her other siblings spoke more about material things. I think amongst the March sisters, Beth has the least amount of flaws in her character. Too bad she was gone too soon.

In conclusion, “Little Women” (2019) is a timeless story that resonates with viewers on a deeply personal level. As we reflect on the rich tapestry of these characters’ lives, we see their unique journeys and the bonds that hold them together.

Originally published at https://matchalatteflavor.blogspot.com on November 15, 2021.