Little Women Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

Little Women Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 26, 2018

There has been no shortage of media adaptations of Louisa May Alcott’s 1868 novel, “Little Women,” which has been brought to the stage, radio, and screens big and small. It’s a timeless tale of sisterhood and maturity, and it makes sense that every few years there seems to be a production taking a stab at bringing Alcott’s vivid characters to life in one way or another. There have been a few masterpieces along the way (the 1994 version starring Winona Ryder is a particular triumph), giving this take on “Little Women” from writer Heidi Thomas some sense of perspective as it strives to respect the source material but ultimately become its own thing, emerging as an inspection of empowerment and individual evolution while still sustaining Alcott’s way with tragedies of all shapes and sizes. This BBC production ultimately paints itself into a corner, but the three episodes that make up the series (Run times: Ep #1 - 61:23, Ep #2 - 60:23, Ep #3 - 62:02) offers periodic clarity of spirit, giving Alcott’s world a brightness of personality that carries the best of what the original book has to offer.

In the wilds of Massachusetts, Marmee March (Emily Watson) watches over her household of teenage daughters, trying to raise the girls while her husband, Robert (Dylan Baker), is serving as a Union Chaplain in the Civil War, newly exposed to the horrors of the conflict. The March Family bustles with energy, with Meg (Willa Fitzgerald), the eldest, trying to remain a proper lady while she deals with the pressures and expectations of society. Beth (Annes Elwy) is the shy member of the group, living life as a homebody with defined musical talents, but a fear of the outside world. Amy (Kathryn Newton) is the youngest, questing for popularity and attention as she develops her skills with art. And Jo (Maya Hawke) is the tomboy of the group, questing to be a writer as she shuns all social interactions. As struggles and misfortune visit the March household, the family holds together to the best of their ability, with Marmee trying to keep a respectful distance as she watches her daughters grow up, fall in love, and deal with triumphs and disappointments, helping to shape the women they’re meant to be.

This version of “Little Women” has three hours to deliver a satisfying understanding of Alcott’s original book. It’s a chance to preserve the author’s vision, which calls for a complete immersion in the lives of the March Family as they do battle with life’s complications in the middle of nowhere, creating a kingdom out of Orchard House, with willing princes in Laurie (Jonah Hauer-King) and John (Julian Morris) waiting for their shot at Jo and Meg, adding romantic complications as the sisters grow up and begin experiencing adult feelings, threating to pop the cohabitation bubble of Orchard House.

This “Little Women” has been serialized, removing larger arcs of drama to break up the action over three episodes. It plays like a television series, and director Vanessa Caswell maintains intimacy to the relationships, paying close attention to reactions as the highs and lows of life are experienced by the March Family. It’s a gorgeous production, finding tech credits superb throughout, capturing location and prop textures, while costuming is wonderful, helping to identify personal interests. Performances also live up to expectations, though Hawke isn’t seasoned enough to bring Jo to full attention, lacking boyish grit to sell the writer’s defiance, better with sunnier displays of creative aspiration. Despite some slack in the lead role, “Little Women” creates an evocative understanding of time and place, and it snaps together when hitting the highlights of the book, grasping emotional and societal struggles, with a little class anxiety thrown in for taste. Tragedy is a major component of Alcott’s book, but this adaptation delays tearjerker aspirations, preferring to focus on the earthiness of the setting and the growing pains of the siblings. In fact, major character reveals and romantic developments are saved for the final 20 minutes of the series, leaving Thomas little time to develop significant changes in the March household, giving the overall production a rushed feeling as it tries to include everything familiar while introducing a few new narrative directions.

Little Women Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Without the expanse of the big screen to work with, this production of "Little Women" heads in the opposite direction, focusing on the textures of this world, with terrific HD cinematography delivering a lived-in feel. The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation generally respects the details provided, offering sharpness on costuming and set decoration, making period additions easy to examine. Faces are defined in fill, capturing subtle concerns and aging. Other addition, including fibrous paper and wet ink, contribute to the tactile-heavy viewing experience. Colors are joyous, offering bright, clear primaries to underline the heavenliness of the setting. Red berries pop and greenery soothes. Art offers sophisticated hues, and clothing retains intended home craftsmanship. Skintones are natural. Delineation is mostly agreeable, but a few moments of crush sneak in to flatten frame information.

Little Women Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA is a basic television track, not constructed to do anything more but secure the performances and support scoring efforts. Dialogue exchanges are pleasant, with defined emotional responses and slightly echoed banter around the house, while intimate exchanges maintain softness. Music is also appealing, with crisp instrumentation preserving acoustic snap. Atmospherics are acceptable, detailing wildlife and group activities.

Little Women Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Creating a World" (4:47, HD) is a brief featurette exploring the creative accomplishments of "Little Women." Without time set aside to explore every production department in full, there's a run to cover everything, delivering snippets on geographical recreation (the show was shot in Ireland), research, production design, and costuming. Interviews with key cast and crew (conducted on-set) help the informational flow, but with screen details this exquisite, there really should be more time allotted to survey the work and appreciate the artistry.

• "Becoming a Woman, Then and Now" (3:35, HD) is another short look at the making of "Little Women," this time identifying the nuances of adaptation, with character emphasis a priority. There's also a discussion of empowerment and inspiration inherent in the original Alcott tale, and how the producers sought to celebrate such a message in the new version.

• "Visit Orchard House" (5:31, HD) offers a glimpse of the Concord, Massachusetts home where Alcott originally cooked up "Little Women" using influences from her family. Some biographical details are shared, along with footage from the museum (including testimonials from visitors), but most emphasis is placed on the history of the house and the ways of Louisa May's father, Amos Bronson, who was an education reformer and grand supporter of his daughter's creative interests.

Little Women Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Little Women" runs out of time to do everything it wants, but what's here is a pleasing take on March sibling relationships and individual odysseys of love and independence. Thomas is immensely respectful of Alcott's vision for individuality and personal fears, and she does well bringing beloved characters to life. "Little Women" doesn't squeeze viewers as tightly as previous adaptations, but it's refined work with a special folksy sway and refreshed appreciation for Alcott's original creation. It's three hours in need of six, but there's plenty here to embrace.