film criticism by maryann johanson | celebrating 25 years: 1997–2022
Dismantles myths about motherhood and misconceptions about child-free women with brisk, cheeky humor and intersectionality, and begins to build the cultural scripts we need for paths without kids.
The hypocrisy of the world’s expectations of girls gets a gently sardonic knock via an audaciously confident young woman battling to be herself. This is a lovely, goofy movie, easygoing and chaotic.
Women want to be able to tell our own stories, and we want to be heard. Hustlers and Little Women are so much about this (and other important things of female concern) that they’re practically the same movie.
And we have winners!
A very welcome feminist interpretation of Alcott’s beloved novel, layered in sly, winking awareness of Hollywood clichés and the cultural pressures on women. Alive and electric, an absolute treasure.
