At the start of this review, I feel I should explain myself.

I don’t give every film five stars, it just so happens that of the two I’ve reviewed this year so far, they have all been stellar.

And Little Women is no different, bar the fact that it’s set in the 1860s rather than during a World War.

Based on the book by Louisa May Alcott, which was originally released in two volumes back in 1868 and 1869, Little Women is a touching story about finding true love and the importance of family throughout life, even if you grow apart.

Now, I didn’t know anything about the plot before going into the movie. Or at least, I thought I didn’t.

About midway through my viewing I realised where I recognised it: Friends. The book features prominently in an episode of the sitcom and eventually leads to Joey putting it in the fridge.

Remembering this didn’t affect my enjoyment of the film, but it did distract me slightly from being fully involved in the story.

The film is two hours long, and at times it felt a lot longer. But that isn’t to say I was bored.

Yes, there are slow moments but they all serve as opportunities to build each character and explain the choices they have been making.

This film is very much a character dissection. Looking at these four women and what they are ‘supposed’ to become, compared to what they eventually decide is the correct path for them in life

One of the stand-out moments of the film is a monologue delivered by main character Jo March, played by Ladybird star Saoirse Ronan, about her life.

It hits the emotional highs and is almost guaranteed to leave a tear in the eye of every audience member.

But, for me, there is one actress who is an absolute scene stealer in every moment she’s in.

Florence Pugh, of Midsommar fame, plays Amy March who is the youngest of the little women and is brilliant with everything she does.

The acting delivered from her is top notch and consistently puts you on her side of every argument, decision and conflict that comes her way.

I hadn’t seen Florence in a film before this, so as an introduction to her work it makes you want to go back and see what else she has starred in - while also making me excited to see her next appearance in Black Widow this May.

Before going into this film I had seen none of the marketing, I hadn’t watched any trailers or press interviews, I was basically going in blind.

And for the first 20-minutes that meant I was going “oh she’s in this?” especially as Emma Watson plays Meg March in her first film role since Beauty and the Beast in 2017.

Although she gives a good performance, she was one of the more less-interesting characters throughout the film. But I believe that is because of the source material, rather than anything done during the creative process of this production.

The fourth sister, Beth March played by Eliza Scanlen, was also pretty serviceable but at the same time did not have a lot to work with, but that is for reasons that will become obvious if you watch the film.

But I couldn't talk about this film without mentioning one important aspect. The costumes.

As with all period-dramas the outfits are always big, flamboyant and, hopefully, period-accurate and it's safe to say that the costume designers did excellent jobs.

It has been nominated for an Oscar, alongside Saoirse Ronan and Florence Pugh, and rightfully so as each outfit manage to capture the personalities of its wearer throughout the film.

I have no doubt we’ll reach some terrible movies in the weeks to come, Dolittle is already receiving a few hits, but for now cinema has made an excellent start in 2020.

Connor Mountford