**Warning: May Contain Spoilers**

As a lifelong fan of Louisa May Alcott’s classic American novel, Little Women, I wondered to myself whether or not the world needed one more film adaptation. Yes. It desperately needs this one. Without going into a compare and contrast essay, director and screenwriter Greta Gerwig brings a very grounded, honest story to life with characters that are complex and sometimes outright despicable that moviegoers can also empathize with. Gerwig honors the original novel in every frame and creates an intricate web of sisterhood that had me laughing, cringing and ready to cry.

The casting of the March Sisters, their closest friends and relatives is near perfect. Emma Watson as the eldest, Meg, was an unexpected but brilliant choice. This is, perhaps, her best performance to date and made me realize that I am a ‘Meg’ and no longer a ‘Jo’.  Saoirse Ronan will always be captivating and gives another award worthy performance as Jo, the passionately outspoken tomboy and Alcott’s central character.  The anxiety Beth, played by Eliza Scanlen, feels is palpable and she becomes as sympathetic character from the beginning, without having a pity party thrown for her.  There is so much I wish to say about Beth but I will restrain myself!  Comment below if you want to continue this talk.  In a breakout performance (at least for American audiences) is Florence Pugh as Amy, the youngest March sister.  She is sometimes neglected, often spiteful after living in her sisters’ shadows.  Her portrayal of Amy is unlike any version presented onscreen to the point where I thought……I don’t want to give it away….Timothée Chalamet also returns to the world of Greta Gerwig’s imagination giving Laurie fresh life, although it is difficult to let go of Christian Bale’s portrayal of the same character in 1994.  Of course, Meryl Streep can’t help but be brilliant and while Laura Dern, Chris Cooper and Bob Odenkirk have supporting roles in the film they are nevertheless captivating.

If you know the book, you know the story.  You don’t know yet the magic that Gerwig infuses into the March family.

And I have a Little Women Christmas gift to share with one lucky fan.  Sony Pictures gave me some extra swag that I know will make someone very happy!  It includes a canvas tote; limited edition copy of Louisa May Alcott’s novel Little Women with images from the new film; 2020 Little Women calendar; Little Women: The Official Movie Companion featuring production and behind the scenes photos, interviews, recipes and more; glass Little Women ornament.  Let’s be book buddies!

TO WIN:

  1. Leave a comment below with one of your favorite holiday traditions (your comment will require admin approval so don’t be alarmed if you don’t see it right away)
  2. Head on over to instagram and follow @Casey_Dacanay
  3. Comment on this post to let me know that you have entered the giveaway

     

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BONUS ENTRIES:

  1. Share an image from this post to your stories & let your friends know about the giveaway.  Remember to tag @Casey_Dacanay for tracking purposes!
  2. Tag a friend in the comments on Instagram – 1 tag per line, each tag is an entry

Giveaway runs 12/24/19 until 12/31/19 at 8pm PT.  Winner will be announced 1/2/20. This giveaway is not sponsored in any part by Instagram.  Unfollowing after giveaway closes will result in illegibility for future giveaways.  I promise, I like to give fun stuff away!

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