This is sadly the same thing that has happened first with Sci-Fi movies (esp Star Wars), then comic book movies, and fantasy movies, classic literature just seems to be the latest victims of the trend. People with little actual talent and no love for or understanding of the original material hijack a superior work to fill with their own philosophy and belief system because they know no one will pay to see anything original they create. That is why we got Jake Skywalker in The Last Jedi and why we got a completely regressed Thor in Love and Thunder, and Captain Marvel wearing a Galadriel skin suit in Rings of Power. Sadly Louisa May Alcott isn’t alone in having her beautiful work desecrated. Spare yourself the horror of any of the recent Jane Austen adaptations.
“ People with little actual talent and no love for or understanding of the original material hijack a superior work to fill with their own philosophy and belief system because they know no one will pay to see anything original they create.”
You missed the part where she makes Jo pine for Laurie and jealous of Amy, and makes Amy a lovesick puppy of a young woman. I couldn't agree with you more, though. Gerwig tried so hard to make this movie subversive that she took out all of Alcott's original subversiveness and turned it into feminist drivel (it actually felt pretty anti-feminist to take a novel written by a woman and gut it like she did, tell you the truth.) I am still mad about this one
And, it is terribly unfair to Amy, who is a vain tween, but eventually matures into a warm, loving woman. All of the girls have character flaws to overcome, and - with the assistance of Marmie, that rare woman who understands how to properly turn girls into women, and later, be a good parent to adults - they do so manage to master their flaws.
yeah, this gets totally lost in the way she told the movie in flashbacks. It downplays the growth and maturation they all experienced over the course of the book. It was very jarring. Pugh could have been a good Amy, but they never made her look younger or older, so I was just confused the whole time (Is this a flashback or is she a woman?)
I love the 2004 BBC mini series adaption of Gaskell's North & South. I'm sure its not perfect but the humanity and growth of Mr. Thornton and the grit and love of Higgins are well captured (in my opinion). And Margaret Hale who also must grow up and come to terms with imperfection of her father, who is her hero, is excellently portrayed. She protects others at great cost to her own reputation, which was deadly in that time period. I love everything about that novel!
The Good Old Boys is an adaptation of an Elmer Kelton book and it’s pretty good--not great-- but alright. It’s pleasant to watch Sissy Spacek and Tommy Lee Jones interact to boot.
Thank you for saving me from this one! Was reading U.P. during a replay of coronation: glad to know it's both a Markle & CornPop-free day in the UK (no backstabbing or hairsniffing to view).
I wonder. What are your thoughts on Pride & Prejudice & Zombies?
I’ve never read it (or seen the movie) but it sounds fun! If you like something about the characters/setting of a classic and want to have fun with them, go for it, just don’t dress it up as a straight adaptation. I’ll take Sherlock Holmes vs Dracula a million times before a “serious” adaptation that subverts the author’s message - in those cases, the monster is real and evil and is eating the original author’s brains!
This is sadly the same thing that has happened first with Sci-Fi movies (esp Star Wars), then comic book movies, and fantasy movies, classic literature just seems to be the latest victims of the trend. People with little actual talent and no love for or understanding of the original material hijack a superior work to fill with their own philosophy and belief system because they know no one will pay to see anything original they create. That is why we got Jake Skywalker in The Last Jedi and why we got a completely regressed Thor in Love and Thunder, and Captain Marvel wearing a Galadriel skin suit in Rings of Power. Sadly Louisa May Alcott isn’t alone in having her beautiful work desecrated. Spare yourself the horror of any of the recent Jane Austen adaptations.
“ People with little actual talent and no love for or understanding of the original material hijack a superior work to fill with their own philosophy and belief system because they know no one will pay to see anything original they create.”
Exactly!
You missed the part where she makes Jo pine for Laurie and jealous of Amy, and makes Amy a lovesick puppy of a young woman. I couldn't agree with you more, though. Gerwig tried so hard to make this movie subversive that she took out all of Alcott's original subversiveness and turned it into feminist drivel (it actually felt pretty anti-feminist to take a novel written by a woman and gut it like she did, tell you the truth.) I am still mad about this one
And, it is terribly unfair to Amy, who is a vain tween, but eventually matures into a warm, loving woman. All of the girls have character flaws to overcome, and - with the assistance of Marmie, that rare woman who understands how to properly turn girls into women, and later, be a good parent to adults - they do so manage to master their flaws.
yeah, this gets totally lost in the way she told the movie in flashbacks. It downplays the growth and maturation they all experienced over the course of the book. It was very jarring. Pugh could have been a good Amy, but they never made her look younger or older, so I was just confused the whole time (Is this a flashback or is she a woman?)
This saves me 2 hours of my life; great review.
I love the 2004 BBC mini series adaption of Gaskell's North & South. I'm sure its not perfect but the humanity and growth of Mr. Thornton and the grit and love of Higgins are well captured (in my opinion). And Margaret Hale who also must grow up and come to terms with imperfection of her father, who is her hero, is excellently portrayed. She protects others at great cost to her own reputation, which was deadly in that time period. I love everything about that novel!
Yes, it’s really hard (impossible?) to make a great 2 hour movie adaptation of a good book, there are a lot of really well done mini series though.
The Good Old Boys is an adaptation of an Elmer Kelton book and it’s pretty good--not great-- but alright. It’s pleasant to watch Sissy Spacek and Tommy Lee Jones interact to boot.
Sam Shepard too! Great cast, we’ll definitely check it out, thank you. I really like Coal miner’s daughter with that duo
Thank you for saving me from this one! Was reading U.P. during a replay of coronation: glad to know it's both a Markle & CornPop-free day in the UK (no backstabbing or hairsniffing to view).
I wonder. What are your thoughts on Pride & Prejudice & Zombies?
I’ve never read it (or seen the movie) but it sounds fun! If you like something about the characters/setting of a classic and want to have fun with them, go for it, just don’t dress it up as a straight adaptation. I’ll take Sherlock Holmes vs Dracula a million times before a “serious” adaptation that subverts the author’s message - in those cases, the monster is real and evil and is eating the original author’s brains!