Greta Gerwig's take on the Louisa May Alcott classic Little Women isn't out for another two months, but first reactions to the coming-of-age story are already Marching in. (Sorry.)
Following on from her success with Lady Bird, which also starred Little Women's Saoirse Ronan, it appears Greta Gerwig has done it again, with many critics praising her retelling as a triumph that is both "passionately faithful and gorgeously original".
As well as some exciting Oscar's Best Picture chatter, those privy to a recent screening praised the "great" performances of the cast, singling out Florence Pugh for her "astonishing" turn as Amy March.
"So I've seen Little Women twice now and it's one of my very favorite movies of the year," one review read. "Greta Gerwig delivers a both passionately faithful and gorgeously original take. Saoirse is a fierce Jo, Chalamet/Dern/Streep esp are great in support, and Florence Pugh is astonishing."
The praise continued, with one critic calling Little Women simply "wonderful". "A loving, meticulously-crafted adaptation that exceeded my expectations. Heartfelt, moving and a terrific showcase for its extremely talented cast and beloved source material," they wrote.
Others praised Gerwig's vision for the adaptation, with one critic saying she had "boldly scrambled" the otherwise "straightforward story of Little Women".
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Another wrote: "Gerwig makes this material her own in delightful ways you'd expect and some adult-meditation-on-childhood ways I didn't. So rewarding to see the ease with which she paints on this canvas and that she (or any director these days) was given it."
Predicting success at the upcoming Oscars, one critic put forward the film as a possible – even probable – Best Picture winner. "The last three Best Picture winners—MOONLIGHT, THE SHAPE OF WATER, GREEN BOOK—end happily and portrayed the world as ultimately hopeful.
"Greta Gerwig's LITTLE WOMEN is the first movie of the year that does just that. So...front runner? (It's inventive and wonderful.)"
Our Oscar senses are tingling.
Little Women is out in UK cinemas on Thursday, December 26.
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