Review 721: Little Women (1994)

  

Gillian Armstrong's Little Women is a charming, enchanting & surprisingly wholesome adaption of the Louisa May Alcott classic that's  Christmas fun for the whole family. 

With her husband off during the American Civil War, Abigail "Marmee" March (Susan Sarandon) is left alone to raise their four daughters - her "little women." There is the spirited Jo (Winona Ryder); conservative Meg (Trini Alvarado); fragile Beth (Claire Danes) and romantic Amy (Kirsten Dunst and Samantha Mathis). As the years pass, the sister share some of the most cherished and painful memories of self-discovery as Abigail and Aunt March (Mary Wickes) guide them through issues of independence, romance and virtue.

The screenplay by Robin Swicord not remains faithful to the Louisa May Alcott original but expertly manages to capture the films  

An inspiring tale of goodness and being a good person and doing what you want to do and following your heart.

Gillian Armstrong's direction is sensitive  the cinematography is beautiful and captures the winsome, enchanting look of the  giving the setting a classic 1940's look    the score by Thomas Newman is lush

Armstrong has assembled a first cast with Susan Sarandon as Abigail "Marmee" March, Winona Ryder as aspiring writer Jo; Trini Alvarado as Meg; Kirsten Dunst and Samantha Mathis as little Amy and Claire Danes as Beth. 

Winona Ryder definitely impressed playing Jo March, capturing her passion and dedication to her work. She's clever, creative and intellectually restless. Winona's Jo constantly pours over pages, her brain constantly spins  But she also struggles to contain her fiery temper and stubborn attitude. 

Thanks to the combined efforts of Kirsten Dunst and Samantha Mathis, Amy March. Compared to the book, Amy is portrayed as  she can be selfish and spiteful, but at other times, she can be a little bundle of joy. 

Claire Danes from My So-Called Life is a playing Beth, capturing the vulnerable quality She manages to keep  Whereas her sisters are the outward types, Beth is shy, sweet, kind & loyal; she would rather be there for her family than go out there and be successful like so many of her other sisters. She's the wisest of the March sisters yet she doesn't brag about it, when an argument breaks out over Amy destroying Jo's book, she remains careful and observant and doesn't want to escalate the situation or be any worse to it.

Susan Sarandon beautifully captures the warm, maternal nature required for playing the matriach of the March family. 

Christian Bale is immesely charasmatic playing Theodore "Laurie" Laurence. Jo and Laurie have a very competitive friendship; he likes to be a bit naughty like her so there's a kindship between them. 

He doesn't show up until an hour into the film but Gabriel Byrne certainly makes a strong impression  playing Fredrich Bhaer, an older professor who Jo comes under the influence of.