Released on January 1, 2020 on the big screen, The Daughters of Dr. March by Greta Gerwig is an adaptation of the famous novel by Louisa May Alcott. From its English title Little Women, this almost autobiographical novel depicts the life of Jo March and her sisters. Faithfully taken over, Greta Gerwig has brought literature up to date with a cast filled with freshness. Emma Watson, Timothée Chalamet or Meryl Streep, the cast has something to make your mouth water. Back on The Daughters of Dr. March available on VOD since May 6th. Joséphine March, writer, lives with her 3 sisters and her mother. Their father, Dr. March, is rarely present because he is always on the move. Juggling between past and present, the American director mixes eras to accentuate the evolution of these four sisters. During and after the Civil War, these young women asserted themselves, both because of their character and their place in society.
Unshakable bonds
A house composed solely of women, a foolproof solidarity. Throughout the film, sisterhood is in the spotlight. Alternating between past and present, Greta Gerwig uses many flashbacks, making our heads spin. Even if, for someone who does not know history, it can be complicated to navigate through these many back and forth, the costumes and the staging remain faithful to the time, allowing us to find ourselves a minimum in this hodgepodge. All four artists, the March sisters find themselves confronted with the powerful patriarchy of the time – and unfortunately still too present – but do not let themselves be stepped on. Aiming to be feminist, this feature film tries to emphasize the psychological and character evolution of the four sisters, sometimes forgetting the evolution of the other characters, making them flat and tasteless. 
Published in 1868, the novel The Daughters of Dr. March was at the time a surge of feminism. But that was a good century back. Since then, mores have changed, gender relations have evolved, and so has feminism. Despite a modern cast and a script faithful to the novel, the film itself is devoid of modernity, somewhat dusty. A small update would surely not have been too much.
Desire for freedom and independence
Focused on the young sisters' irrepressible desire for freedom and independence, some relationships have fallen by the wayside. Some characters have not even evolved very little, making the film a tad bland. By watching a feature film that calls itself feminist, we hope to see women fight against patriarchy and not give in to it. In The Daughters of Dr. March, the feminist struggle is present. What makes things disappointing is that at the end of the day the girls in this film somehow let themselves be crushed by the patriarchy and rules of the time. So the battle didn't last long. 
Brilliant actresses, a budding emotion… but a music too present, suffocating. The Daughters of Dr. March encourages us to tenderness and benevolence but it would certainly have been easier if the music had not taken up so much space. Despite this, history for the time is progressive and sincere, filled with good feelings. A faithful adaptation, a famous cast… Dr. March's Daughters is a good alternative for those who have not read the novel.
Dr. March's Daughters trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AST2-4db4ic
