The timeless 19th century classic Little Women is being remade with an all star cast, including Emma Watson and Meryl Streep.
After Greta Gerwig’s successful directorial debut for Lady Bird, which also starred Little Women’s Saoirse Ronan (Jo March) and Timothèe Chamalet (Laurie), the trio has established themselves as a force to be reckoned with. Alongside Feminism activist Emma Watson as love-struck Meg March, Australian Eliza Scanlen (Beth March), Laura Dern (Mary March) and the indescribably brilliant Meryl Streep as Aunt March, the film boasts an award winning, all star cast.
Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women centres upon the coming of age stories of the four March sisters as they attempt to navigate life, friendships, goals, dreams and love. Women are at the forefront of this film, and it features a refreshing combination of women who explore the full spectrum of their humanity and are liberated because they make the choices that impact their lives.
It is slightly jarring that Watson does not play the rebellious, invigorating Jo March, especially with her role as an activist for feminism. Instead, she plays the sweet, wide-eyed Meg whose marriage is a significant aspect of her storyline. When asked about her role in an interview with fellow activist Paris Lees (you can read FIB’s report of it here) Emma explains that “feminism is about choice” and it is Meg’s choice to pursue a happily married life.
The decision to cast Watson as Meg opens the floor for a discussion about how her icon as a feminist should not restrict her to characters like the robust Jo. As a world that is striving towards equality, it is imperative to note that feminism is about giving women choices and the freedom to make their own decisions; which is what Watson demonstrates in her role as Meg March.
Little Women has had seven adaptations so far, most notably the 1994 film with Winona Ryder, Kirsten Dunst and Susan Sarandon. Gerwig’s Little Women is not the first female oriented adaption to hit our screens this year, Elizabeth Banks’s Charlie’s Angels was also released this month. The box-office disappointment of Charlie’s Angels, which made less than 9 million dollars in its first week, might predict Little Women’s success, with both films attempting a frequently adapted, female dominated film.
The film is set for release on the 1st of January in 2020, but a handful of cinemas in Sydney are having advanced screenings this December.
Let us know in the comments down below if you’re keen to see Little Women, because we certainly are!