When I was 10, I had the opportunity to read the novel Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Since then, I have read the book multiple times and seen many different film renditions of the beloved classic. However, never in all of my years of Little Women content, have I seen someone pull off the role of Jo March as flawlessly as Saoirse Ronan. Do not get me wrong, I love Winona Ryder, and her Jo was pretty good, but nothing compares.
Photo from Consequence of Sound
The role of Jo March in the novel was well ahead of its time. She takes on a more androgynous approach to her style and life in general. She does not consume herself in the role of a traditional 1860s woman. She believes there should be less perfection in the expectations of women. She is very open regarding her stances on topics such as marriage. Jo is an independent, strong, and passion-filled character. Her ideologies are still present in society today and values that more and more women stand for in everyday scenarios.
That being said, every emotion that Jo March has Saoirse portrayed in a way that made you feel as though that was HER story. The way she connected herself and any personal struggles she has experienced through her gender identity is felt in the telling of Jo. The performance she gave was beautiful, emotional, and so real. When she entered a room, all eyes needed to be on her. She is a source of power for the whole March family, and without having such a phenomenal performance by Ronan, the dynamic would be lost. The energy she placed upon her role was nothing short of genius. Anyone watching can tell how much of her heart and soul she planted in her character. The way that Saoirse was able to bring Jo’s progressiveness, and her identity to the forefront of her character development was uncanny. The film would not have been the same Ronan not been in the role. I guarantee it. She was bold, beautiful, and so passionate about Jo’s positions, I would have believed it to be a story of Ronan herself.
Here’s to say, I was distraught over her not winning the Oscar for leading actress. No performance I saw all year matched the passion that I saw in Saoirse Ronan as she took on Jo March. She demanded the respect that March deserved. She defended Jo’s choices, fiercely. I do not believe I will ever see a person be cast in performance as perfectly as Greta Gerwig did for this film. Saoirse Ronan is the ONLY Jo March.
Feature photo courtesy of NPR: https://www.npr.org/2019/12/24/790812857/saoirse-ronan-playing-jo-march-in-little-women-was-a-confidence-boost
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