'Little Women': Can Greta Gerwig's classic novel adaptation force men to embrace a female-led film?
“Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents.” That is how Louisa May Alcott's classic novel begins and perhaps, this Christmas, all the world needs is for men to watch the women-centric 2019 adaptation of the 1880 book on screen.
Ever since Greta Gerwig's 'Little Women' was announced, there has been quite a debate around whether or not the film will appeal to men, or rather, will they go to the cinema hall to watch it at all. “This is a genuine question because I'm curious, how many men who see this tweet are planning to see the new Little Women movie?” one tweet reads and another says, “One wish for 2020 is that #LittleWomenMovie wins the Oscar for best pic, and all those men who wouldn't see it hide their head in shame cuz they know women gonna kick their ass one way or t'other.”
The blatant reluctance of men to accept a women-centered movie can be seen in this tweet: “Men: I'll never understand women.. Women: will u come to #LittleWomenMovie with me? Men: Uh, no.” Another fan posted, “#LittleWomenMovie just for women? Yes, we’re having that conversation. And we need to keep having it until men realize that stories about women are human stories for all of us.”
It is eerie how the movie, written in the late 1800s, still holds true for the 21st century and is impeccably relatable. While the scenario may have changed in a few urban areas, a majority of women in rural locales still suffer from the same struggle. It is sad to see then how men claim that the world has changed. “A clip from new #LittleWomenMovie explained how #marriage was an 'economic proposition' w/ dire consequences for #women. That was THEN. If anything, the roles have reversed: #Men often have more to lose now, legally, in marriages! Stop claiming #oppression fr/ the past!” one tweet reads.
In another part of the world, it was tough for the movie to get male award season voters for screenings. “I just can’t believe we’re still having this f--king discussion. Little Women had difficulty getting male award season voters into screenings. They're hoping to change that in time for Oscar voting.”
However, it hardly comes as a surprise. This has been a case with several other masterpieces that didn't work just because of a female-led cast—from 'Frida' to 'Girlhood' and 'Carol'. What's peculiar is that Gerwig's 2017 film 'Lady Bird' also lies in that list. Won't it be downright demeaning if the state of affairs stay the same a couple of years down the line?
Nevertheless, not all men are the same. Some may be willing to shed their inhibitions and actually see a movie that doesn't revolve around muscular power, action and violence. “Am I just not the typical male? Is something wrong with me? Seeing all these articles saying that #LittleWomenMovie has a male audience problem, I mean I've been hyped for this since it was first announced even above TROS. So am I damaged?” one tweet reads.
For now, the world needs more such men. And the one thing that needs to be told to them: “Men, go see #LittleWomenMovie. You might love it.” Another heartfelt wish by a fan reads, “Wow. Wow. Wow. Men. GO SEE THIS MOVIE. Take yourself. Take your sons. Take your daughters. Take your bros. Take your sisters. Take your Mothers. Take your Fathers. You will not regret it. #LittleWomenMovie.”
Isn't that all we hope for this holiday season? Starring bigwig stars like Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Laura Dern, Timothée Chalamet, Tracy Letts, Bob Odenkirk, James Norton, Louis Garrel, Chris Cooper, and Meryl Streep, the film hits the screens on December 25 in the US and December 26 in the UK. However, the rest of the world might have to wait a little more and the word of mouth until then may force men to actually give this wonderful rendition a try.
