I’ve seen Greta Gerwig’s new adaptation of Little Women twice now. First in January, a week after it was first released, and one earlier this month after its digital release. And it’s been on my mind a lot. It’s difficult to put my finger exactly on why I think it works so well, but here my attempt.

I think the way that Greta Gerwig chose to tell this well-loved story actually strengthens the connection between the sisters. Her version emphasizes the way their experiences mirror each other, both when they were younger, and as adults. I think that it gives the viewer a better sense of how close they were, and how they were going through everything together.

I also love how Gerwig’s adaptation kinds of blurs the line between reality and fiction, with the biographical elements it brought in from Louisa May Alcott’s own experience.

What really stands out to me overall is that it seems like all the decisions that were made in this film were made with the goal of adding clarity to what the story is really about, at its heart. I think it’s that clarity that I appreciate and enjoy.

This is a gorgeous film with great acting, and a fabulous script. If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly, highly recommend rectifying that pronto!