Leaving Netflix: The American period classic that will steal your heart if you love 'Bridgerton'

Few works have managed to remain as alive in the collective memory as Little Women , the novel by Louisa May Alcott Published in 1868. More than a century and a half later, the story of the March sisters continues to inspire readers and filmmakers for its approach to universal themes such as family, independence, and love . Its ahead-of-its-time nature has made it a benchmark work in American literature.

The fascination with this classic soon found its reflection on the big screen. Since 1933, there have been four major film adaptations : George Cukor 's, Mervyn LeRoy's in 1949, Gillian Armstrong's in 1994, and, in the 21st century, Greta Gerwig's in 2019. Each version has offered a different vision of the work, but all have maintained intact the magnetism of the characters created by Alcott.

The most recent, directed by Gerwig and starring Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, and Eliza Scanlen , arrived on Netflix on February 25, 2023. However, subscribers to the platform will only be able to enjoy it until August 31 , when it will disappear from its catalog. A date that forces period film lovers to revisit this title before it leaves home screens.

Plot, awards and comparison with other versions

The plot centers on the lives of Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy, four sisters growing up with their mother in America marked by the echoes of the Civil War . Each of them struggles to find her place in a world where women were destined almost exclusively for marriage. The film combines the tenderness of the original story with a fresh and dynamic approach thanks to Gerwig's two-time narrative .

The 2019 film earned six Oscar nominations , including Best Picture, and won for Best Costume Design , in addition to garnering accolades at the BAFTAs and Golden Globes. The ensemble cast, which also includes Timothée Chalamet, Laura Dern and Meryl Streep , reinforced the film's impact, which was applauded by both audiences and critics.

Gerwig made 'Little Women' feel more relevant than ever, reclaiming Alcott's work as an immortal classic.

Compared to previous adaptations, this version stands out for its contemporary perspective and its ability to give greater prominence to each character . If Katharine Hepburn's Jo in 1933 marked a milestone and Winona Ryder's in 1994 became a benchmark for the nineties, Ronan's performance brings an infectious passion that resonates with current sensibilities. Gerwig managed to make Little Women feel more relevant than ever, reclaiming Alcott's work as an immortal classic.