Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

Little Women 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown November 14, 2024

Masterful filmmaker Greta Gerwig's equally masterful Little Women (2019) makes its domestic 4K debut courtesy of the Volume 5 box set of the Columbia Classics Collection, a terrific release that also features 4K versions of Robert Rossen's All the King's Men (1949), an unforgettable Marlon Brando in On the Waterfront (1954), Best Picture biopic A Man for All Seasons (1966), the still-hilarious Tootsie (1982) and the sumptuous, Daniel Day Lewis-led The Age of Innocence (1993). Each volume in Sony's ongoing collection not only highlights a spread of the best of the best of the decades, it gives each film a high quality video presentation, (when necessary) a striking remaster or restoration, cutting edge audio (typically an Atmos upgrade), and often new extras.

Sisters Meg (Emma Watson), Jo (Saoirse Ronan), Beth (Eliza Scanlen) and Amy March (Florence Pugh) celebrate life through the uplifting bonds of sisterhood and navigate the struggles of togetherness towards the end of the Civil War. Their father (Bob Odenkirk), who is away with the Union Army, calls them his "little women." Each girl faces her own issues while wrestling with the realities of coming-of-age without their father. When the orphaned Laurie (Timothée Chalamet) moves in with his rich grandfather (Chris Cooper), he finds himself drawn to the chaotic but sweet family life he finds in the March girls. The film alternates between a "present day" setting and the girl's teenage years, depicting how each girl grows up amidst the challenges they face as both teenagers and little women.

Click here to read the rest of Martin Liebman's review of Little Women, which he writes "captures the essence and essential details of the original work, maintaining the story's depth, breadth, and core drama and values while still putting [Gerwig's] own stamp on the material." He adds, "there's nothing that fundamentally changes the story, but through production and presentation emphasis, Gerwig bolsters its voice for modern audiences while allowing it to sit comfortably in its own, familiar setting."

Little Women 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Little Women's 2160p upgrade is quite striking, barring a single issue -- black crush -- that still rears its head every so often when thick shadows, dark hair and candlelit interiors cross paths. (Timothy Chalamet's pitch-black locks are a frequent victim.) But otherwise, everything is precisely as it should be, though all evidence points to the crushing likely being a product of the photography or original negative. Colors are lovely and rich, with bold splashes of primary decadence that allows the Dolby Vision expansions and improvements to work wonders. The film often favors warm tones, particularly when hearth and home are being emphasized, leading to a number of scenes that appear bathed in almost too much fire light. But the modern eye doesn't attune well to what lighting in the era would have been, so Gerwig's commitment to presenting things naturally, as well as her desire to pluck nostalgia from the pages of the original book, combine to create an at-times over-saturated yet wholly intentional, and stunning, image that makes a mark. Black levels are deep and inky too, with contrast that's vibrant and bold, offering a disarming view of both the rooms of the girls' house and the stunning vistas that pepper their world. Detail, meanwhile, is exacting, with all the hallmarks of a 4K presentation done right. Edges are crisply defined without veering into artificial territory, allowing the movie -- shot on film! -- to look like a movie, well, that's shot on film. Grain is never distracting, merely adding a suitably refined, almost elegant textile quality to the cinematography. Fine textures are rewarding too, particularly when examining the period dresses, overcoats and other costuming Gerwig's production offers in every scene. Moreover, there isn't a hint of artifacting, banding or any other nasty bit of business at play, meaning the encode is proficient and pristine. This is, hands down, the definitive presentation of Little Women and it belongs on your shelves.

Little Women 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Little Women's standard Blu-ray release already boasted top tier 5.1 sound design and a lossless audio track to match. But Sony's 4K edition of the film goes even farther, offering a Dolby Atmos experience that far and away bests its predecessor. Gerwig adores setting, so much so that she goes out of her way to create enveloping cityscapes, bustling streets, rustling fields and surging oceans that sound every bit as real as they should. Crowd chatter and passing carriages clap and clatter to life. Wind blowing across the tops of trees ebb and ease from each speaker, with leaves joining a chorus of birds, insects and quietly dynamic foliage. It's all startlingly real and oh so engaging. Directionality is flawless, with each element of the soundfield clamoring for attention, albeit so humbly that none overpower another. Prioritization is perfect, dialogue included, and there's never a word, whip of willow, or sonic wonderment out of place or underrepresented. LFE support is excellent too. Little Women is no slouch when it comes to using low-end frequencies to bolster its soundscape and oft-times soaring, sometimes heart-wrenching score, and everything from hoof-falls to furniture scraping along flooring is given proper attention. Dynamics really shine in these moments, with a film that could've sounded ordinary and unremarkable rising to the level of a far more physically active endeavor. I thought Little Women's audio was already at its best five years ago but Sony's Atmos upgrade proves there's always a little more to be had given the proper technology and adherence to filmmaker intention.

Little Women 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• NEW: Audio Commentary - Actress Saoirse Ronan joins filmmaker Greta Gerwig for a brisk, light commentary that's friendly, funny and, every so often, quite insightful. The pair not only dive into the particulars of the production and shooting on location, they discuss challenges, performances, casting and the experience of bringing a period in history to life in front of everyone's eyes. The original novel is a frequent topic and Gerwig offers her perspective on adaptation, tying philosophy to methodology as it unfolds on screen.

• NEW: Revisiting Little Women (HD, 17 minutes) - The pair also sit down for a separate retrospective, which proves a welcome addition to the supplemental package. There isn't much overlap with the commentary either thankfully, making their flower-framed chat an easy one to enjoy.

• A New Generation of Little Women (HD, 13 minutes) - More on the process of adapting the novel for modern audiences.

• Making a Modern Classic (HD, 9 minutes) - A short but comprehensive overview of the production.

• Greta Gerwig: Women Making Art (HD, 9 minutes) - Gerwig's unique contributions.

• Hair & Make-Up Test Sequence (HD, 3 minutes)

• Little Women Behind the Scenes (HD, 3 minutes) - EPK featurette.

• Orchard House, Home of Louisa May Alcott (HD, 10 minutes) - A discussion with Jan Turnquist, executive director of Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House, on the "Little Women" author's life, writing and stomping grounds.

Little Women 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Little Women is a fitting addition to the Columbia Classics Collection. The film itself bridges Old Hollywood and New with deceptively effortless ease, its 4K video presentation is a stunner, its Dolby Atmos experience is magnificent, and the release even offers significant new supplemental material in the form of a filmmaker and leading actress audio commentary and featurette. Highly recommended.