In Defense of Amy March

Only Florence Pugh and Greta Gerwig could create a character arc so wide, yet so believable, that they turned literature’s least favorite bratty little sister into a practical and unapologetic, if bitter, adult woman who teaches us only fools think beauty is a guarantee of happiness.

Most of us have read the novel Little Women at some point, seen the most recent movie, or both. The most engrossing film made based on the books to date, Greta Gerwig’s vision remains true to the characters’ personalities, and yet makes their choices more understandable to modern audiences. Packed with amazing actresses (even Meryl Streep), great writing, and revealing dialogue, it deserved its Best Picture nom.

Though all the characters were given more agency than ever before, both Pugh and Gerwig deserve accolades for Amy’s journey from careless child to practical woman.

Young Amy

Pugh plays Amy as a child with all the recklessness that is native to the character and to any child who believes she is the center of the universe. The book and film are about sacrifice, but Amy seems the least familiar with it.