My complaints


I didn't like that they kept doing the flashback/present method of filmmaking. It wasn't necessary. It should have been in chronological order. I didn't like that they placed so much emphasis on Beth when she was dying instead of when she was alive. Like as if the only thing she had going for her was the scarlet fever storyline. And Laurie should have confirmed his feelings for Amy were genuine instead of letting her say that he's only picking Amy as a rebound. Plus, all the scenes of the girls together looked very rushed.

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I too found the flashbacks to be distracting

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I was quite confused by the chronology at first. It really took away dramatic impact for many sequences.

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Yeah it felt like it was the director's way of trying to be original and stand out from the other films when it just wasn't necessary.

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A bit late here perhaps. :)

They're not (only) flashbacks. At least some of them are from Jo's novel, I think.
The parts from Jo's novel have more color, making them a bit "dreamy", or something. But the effect is quite subtle and confused the hell out of me.

What confused me the most was when Beth died (or not?).

First (saturated) we see Jo waking up by the bed, beth gone, fearing she was dead only to find her at the kitchen table, alive. Also there's like a christmas prep scene and their father comes home (and there was much rejoycing). Next scene (non-saturated), Jo waking up again in the same manner as before, only now Beth is apparently dead (judging by their reactions).
Next scene is a burial, presumably Beth's, without dialog. *Immediately* after this there's a wedding (saturated) scene, where Beth is alive again. This is quite a long sequence (adding to the confusion), where also Jo is "dumping" Laurie. Next scene again (non-saturated), Beth is dead (again), where Jo and her mother is packing Beth's things. This time she stays dead (I think)...

Also, the presumed novel-bits is not indicated as such in any way other than slightly more saturated colors. For example, there's no narration, which is sometimes used in these circumstances. I thought the saturation was so slight I interpreted it as simply different time of day.

Another thing about Jo waking up at Beth's bed (when she really is dead): No-one thought to wake Jo up while this was happening!?!

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