By Carrington Walker

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Many would argue that a significant chunk of contemporary cinema is filled with remakes, which often fail to match the quality of their original counterparts, with only a handful of exceptions. Certain literary and cinematic masterpieces inspire countless reinterpretations as filmmakers strive to recreate the magic over and over again. One such timeless story is Little Women, the 1868 novel by Louisa May Alcott, which follows the lives of the March sisters – Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy – as they navigate poverty, love, and personal growth from adolescence to adulthood. This classic tale has been adapted for the big screen seven times, with some versions being more successful than others, dating back to as early as 1917. These films have starred Hollywood legends like Elizabeth Taylor in the 1949 version, as well as modern favourites such as Winona Ryder, Susan Sarandon and Christian Bale, all of whom appeared in Gillian Armstrong’s 1994 adaptation, reports the Express . However, Greta Gerwig’s 2019 film has been lauded by many as the best adaptation yet, boasting stellar performances from an all-star cast, and is now available to stream on Netflix . The Barbie director’s rendition of Alcott’s story features Emma Watson in her most recent film role to date, alongside Meryl Streep, Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Laura Dern, Timothée Chalamet and more. The film has been highly praised on Rotten Tomatoes, ranking as one of the highest-rated films of the past decade with a 95% critic approval rating and a 92% audience score from over 10,000 reviews. “Every adaptation of Little Women has something that sets it apart from the others, but few have the sheer emotion and power that we see here with Gerwig’s interpretation,” argues film critic David Griffiths for Subculture Entertainment. He adds: “Here Gerwig uncovers secret layers to the plot that lesser filmmakers would not have noticed, while at the same time she directs one of the most talented younger casts that modern-day cinema has ever seen assembled. “If you leave preconceived notions you have about Little Women at the cinema door, you will find yourself totally drawn into this worthy drama.” The 2019 feature also boasts a standout performance from Bob Odenkirk as Father March, an unexpected role for the actor best known for his portrayal of streetwise lawyer Saul Goodman in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. Odenkirk’s performance is singled out in many reviews of the film, including a five-star review by Rotten Tomatoes user Vixo S, who writes: “Little Women surprised me when I saw Bob Odenkirk playing the father – an unexpected but delightful detail. “I love how the film uses cool or warm tones in certain scenes, depending on the emotional meaning of each moment, beautifully conveying the characters’ feelings and different stages of life. “Greta Gerwig breathes new life into this classic story, staying true to its essence while making it feel fresh and relevant. The performances are outstanding, the art direction is gorgeous, and the non-linear narrative works perfectly to explore the emotions and memories of each sister in depth.”