Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1206972
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 2 FEBRUARY 2020 13 FILM ENVIRONMENT Scanlen deliver fine performanc- es as Meg and Beth respectively, it is Pugh's Amy who is the true 'foil' to Jo's temperament and life ambitions. Their near-dec- ade long sisterly conflict comes in fits and starts and spans across an emotional range that jumps from vindictive hissy fits to earnest moral judgements, with Pugh herself expertly chan- nelling both the annoying brat and the mature, buddingly deci- sive young woman facing tough choices. A key scene in which she confronts Laurie with the harsh materialistic truths that a woman has to accept is a quiet piece of bravura acting that over- whelms in just the right ways. However, perhaps the true nub of Gerwig's nimble genius lies in the effortlessness with which the entire film unspools before our eyes, running along gen- erously but in a way that never feels forced or over-extended. Some period dramas (read: most of them) locate their pleasure points in the mere mechanics and cosmetics of escapism, in- viting viewers to escape into a world of lush settings and cos- tumes that operates under the (mistaken) assumption that, unpleasant human rights-based retrogradism aside, things were so quaint 'back then'. Gerwig, instead, sweeps us along by drawing her charac- ters precisely and carefully, with a narrative that flits from past to present to offer perspective, melancholy and wisdom. Little Women is currently screen- ing at Eden Cinemas, and will also be showing at Spazju Kreattiv Cin- ema, Valletta today and February 8 at 5.30pm, February 9 at 8pm, February 13 and February 18 at 7.30pm LITTLE WOMEN LITTLE, BIG LITTLE WHITE LIES VERY LITTLE, ALMOST NOTHING FAT CHANCE ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Gulls generally draw little attention, they're so common. But there are gulls and there are gulls, though to the untrained eye they all look much the same. Some species are more precious due of their rarity, and the Audouin's gull is one such bird that's scarce right across its range, which is not too extensive either. The species is virtually endemic to the Mediterranean, which en- dears it even more with naturalists of the region. The Audouin's gull (M. gawwija munqarha aħmar) looks much like our own resident yellow-legged gull but has subtle differences that one can pick out with good binoculars, good lighting and knowing what to look for – not recommended for beginners! Sightings of Audouin's gulls in Malta are sparse but in recent years they have turned up every year. That's because this bird's population has increased, especially in the Western Med. Yay! Text: Victor Falzon Photo: Aron Tanti 697. AUDOUIN'S GULL Jo-No-Marriage: Saoirse Ronan and Timothée Chalamet Visit Friends of the Earth's website for more information about our work, as well as for information about how to join us. You can also support us by sending us a donation - www.foemalta.org/donate GREEN IDEA OF THE WEEK 596 Find out more: www.foemalta.org/goodfood The verdict While remaining firm- ly within the boundaries of 'good taste' and never stray- ing heretically far from the historical and cultural dic- tates of the source material, Greta Gerwig's adaptation of Lousia May Alcott's late 19th century novel and fe- male coming-of-age staple is nonetheless a breath of fresh air. Eschewing conventional chronology in favour of flu- id, dynamic storytelling and etching in some psychological depth and cultural (and eco- nomic) self-awareness in the girls, Gerwig nudges the novel to 'grow up' in tandem with its protagonists, and offers a rich cinematic repast while at no point dimming its indefati- gable, undeniable charm. ★ ★ ★ ★ LITTLE WOMEN (U) Instead of buying your fruits and vegetables from a big supermarket, go to local farmers! This will help the local economy and employment. It is also healthier! In the supermarket, it is not always easy to know how your food grew, which products where use to grow it (as pesticides or glyphosate for example). With farmers, you know where your food comes from and how it grows. Support local farmers