Prof Bhaer
Most of us know the filmed versions of Little Women.
I would guess the faithful 1994 and the more saccharine 1949 films would spring quickly to mind rather than the more unlikely 1933 movie but one way or another most of us would have our favourite Jo's and most tearstained Beth death scene.
I've always enjoyed the nineties version and bits of the post war one, and so I was a little sceptical about seeing Greta Gerwig's more feministly robust version.
I found the messages of women's empowerment slightly heavy handed much preferring Alcott's powerful original prose. Indeed one scene where the saintly Marmee ( a nice turn by Laura Dern ) gives advice to the headstrong Jo ( Saoirse Roman) by saying " I hope you'll do a great deal better than me. There are some natures too noble to curb and too lofty to bend."..Lingers long in the psychi.
I enjoyed this movie. It's worthy, lovely to look at and filled with some lovely performances by the four female leads.
But it is a tad overlong even though for my money so could have sat through another hour of the Professor Bhaer character on screen.
As played by the very sexy Louis Garrel he put his previous counterparts Rosano Brazzi and Gabriel Byrne well into the shade
I’ve been hesitant to see it since there have been so many versions and I wondered what new could they have to say but I’ve heard it’s lovely and I like supporting female directors so I’ll have a go.
ReplyDeleteI have read the book several times John but never seen any of the film versions. Don't expect I shall now but somehow with films made from books I often think I prefer to have the characters as I see them in my mind.
ReplyDeleteI am like this also - I've had some good books spoiled by seeing the movie! It all depends on what your preferred medium is, I would think.
DeleteI enjoyed it although I found the jumping about in chronological order a bit confusing in the first 20 minutes. It is the only Little Women film I have ever seen but I was familiar with the book from childhood which must have helped.
ReplyDeleteJune Allyson played jo when she was 32!!! And looked it in the 1949 version
DeleteOh gosh, that is old. Saorise Roman was good as Jo. Most little girls imagined they were Jo!
DeleteOf films at the moment, David Copperfield is a better.
DeleteWait? Beth dies? Spoiler alert!!!
ReplyDeleteWhoops
DeleteOh Jill, can you really not know about Beth since the book is well over 100 years old and some of the film versions are nearly that? Carry a hankie.
DeleteHugs!
'Friends' fans will know that this is Joey's heartfelt cry :-)
DeleteClassics in a contemporary light, is always a risk, glad it was good.
ReplyDeleteWhoa! He is a cutie. And not one thing like I have imagined Professor Bhaer to look in my imagination for the last fifty-something years.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know Louis was in it... now I might have to go see it.
ReplyDeleteHe's quite lovely
DeleteWe're waiting for it to appear on Netflix or another streaming service as my immune system is compromised and I don't need to rock the germ boat in a theater or on an airplane.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you liked it.
Hugs!
I loved the book when I was a girl. I adored and identified with Jo, the feisty independent girl who never wanted to marry. Louisa May Alcott was forced to bow to pressure from her publishers to marry Jo off to some man, so as not to scandalize readers with the prospect of a feisty independent (and maybe queer?) woman. Nothing against Prof Bhaer, but I despise what he represents in the narrative -- forced heteronormativity.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen this film version yet, but I hope it is better than the previous four adaptations.
Strange I thought that right at the end of the movie, jo's .choice of dress changed subtly
DeleteThere was a hint of lesbianism in it.
I always thought Professor Bhaer represented going for the gold, not the glitter and choosing a partner who likewise appreciates you for who you truly are. As a pre-teen, it made an impression.
DeleteI always go for the gold
DeleteFor some strange reason it's a story which fails to remain in my memory very long, even though I've read the book. I've just had to look up what I said about this film though I only saw it one month ago today, and then thought it was pretty good without being spectacularly so. In a couple of days it'll again have faded from memory.
ReplyDeleteThat speaks volumes eh?
DeleteIt tells one the truth which one didn't want to admit oneself.
DeleteI've only seen the 1949 version, so would have to judge it by that. I've not read the book, but imagine it was quite a faithful recreation.
ReplyDeleteI hope Saoirse Ronan makes a better Jo than she did a Mary Stuart. One of the worst performances I have ever seen - and nobody seemed to have told her that although she was Queen of Scotland, Mary had a French accent.
ReplyDeleteShe was very good but strangely I thought Winona Ryder was better
DeleteThis version has gotten good reviews. Have not seen it. May have to put it in my list. Have not been to the movies lately because I've got so many movies in my Netflix queue....
ReplyDeleteXOXO
I doubt I will ever bother watching that film. Not my cup of tea at all.
ReplyDelete...but I'd accompany Mrs Trellis!
DeleteShe's knows of your obsession
DeleteI've never seen "Little Women" and I've never read it, either. I'm not particularly proud of that, but it seems something else always takes precedence!
ReplyDeleteHave seen most versions of 'Little Women' and read all of the books more than once in my younger days. Always ignored by the film-makers was the description of Prof Bhaer in the book, middle-aged, portly and bearded. Doesn't really translate to Rossano Brazzi, Gabriel Byrne or the latest incarnation whose name I've forgotten, but was neither middle-aged, portly of bearded (a fair scattering of stubble though),
ReplyDeleteI suspect Alcott was alluding the prof was a daddy March figure
DeleteThe jumping back and forth in time was sometimes confusing but the movie was good, but not great. I love the story and read the book when I was a girl. I have seen three of the movie versions.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteI rather liked this version but still prefer the Winona Ryder one. Louis Garrel was indeed delightful but far too young to play the part. Gabriel Byrne still does it for me ;-)
ReplyDeleteAli so right , he's lovely
DeleteI did enjoy the Winona Ryder version also. I don't think I would like a version that strays to far from the original text.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I haven’t seen Little Women, I did go see 1917. That is a stunner of a movie: a simple story line turned riveting by the cinematography, which is stupendous. Thanks for the recommendation.
ReplyDeleteIt was visually a wonderful movie x
DeleteI have seen several versions, a bit too much over acting in most and every time I hear one of them call the mother, Marmie, I cringe. Like nails on a chalk board that name ruins it for me, thus will not watch the most recent rendition. I might have a stroke.
ReplyDeleteLol nice balance in this comment xx
DeleteI don't go to the cinema as I get a very wriggly bottom.I like the look of Mr Gorgeous though-I may be looking back through rose coloured glasses but I think I had several boyfriends looking very much like him as a teenager.It was heartbreaking to find out it was fleeting for them though x
ReplyDeleteI've not seen any version. I read the book when I was young, though, more than once. Like Debra, I couldn't stand the ending - marrying that old man when Jo could have had a life of her own! She could have been a lady-loving-lady! Forced heteronormativity and a daddy complex ruined the end, in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteStill, cheers to a movie directed by a woman and starring women.
The film doesn't make it clear they marry although the professor is working at her new school ...the director leaves it ambiguous
DeleteI thought the new Little Women film was excellent. Saoirse Ronan in particular was riveting. I haven't read the book so I had no quibbles about it not being entirely faithful to the original, which Jenny tells me it wasn't.
ReplyDeleteGreta Gerwig's direction was brilliant!
ReplyDeleteHummm?
DeleteI haven't seen the latest version but I liked the June Allison and Winona Ryder version the best not because of the starring role of Jo but the supporting cast. No one played bet better than Margaret O' Brian.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteMany Thanks for the shared this informative and interesting post with me.
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