I’m sure that somewhere along the line, you figured out that I’m a huge “Little Women” fan. I’ve read the book countless times and seen every film version of it ever made (unless they did a remake of it over in Lithuania that I haven’t heard about.) This version, with Winona Ryder, is hands-down the best.
Why, you ask? I will tell you.
First, a refresher course on the plot. The March family is very poor, having given most of their material wealth to those more poor than themselves. The Civil War is upon them and their father has gone off to fight, leaving Marmee alone with her four daughters: Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. Marmee is a kind, sensible woman who manages the home well, and the girls use their imaginations to entertain themselves when they cannot afford toys and plays.
One day their rich neighbor, Mr. Laurence, takes in his grandson, Laurie, and the girls’ world changes. Jo, a tomboy, has always longed for a friend, and immediately decides that Laurie will be that friend. Soon he’s invited into their close circle of friendship, and his tutor, Mr. Brooke, proposes to Meg. Feeling that has set the stage for romance, Laurie proposes to Jo, only to find that she has no intention of ever marrying, but wants to become a famous novelist instead.
The book/movie is loosely based on author Louisa May Alcott’s own teenage years, and this movie is the best because it ties in historical facts surrounding the Alcott’s lives. Bronson Alcott did allow a “little colored girl” into one of his schools, as is mentioned in the movie, and they were Transcendentalists, as Jo tells Professor Bhaer. The movie further mentions the Alcott’s opposition to slavery, to cruelty in schools, and to blatant wealth. The more I’ve read and studied the lives of the Alcotts, the more impressed I am with how many true facts the producers worked into this film.
Not to mention the fact that the acting is superb. We believe Winona Ryder as the spunky and irrepressible Jo, ready to take on the world all by herself. Trini Alverado is perfect as the shy and practical Meg, while Kirsten Dunst is excellent as the young Amy. One can’t say enough about Christian Bale as Laurie, and Gabriel Byrne as the Professor – very well done. My only two complaints about the casting: Samantha Mathis as the adult Amy – she doesn’t have the spark that Kirsten did, and Claire Danes looked too robust to play Beth. But now I’m just splitting hairs.
I have enjoyed the other versions of this film, but I feel that this one embodies the essence of the book more than any other. I own it and watch it at least twice a year. Um, yes, I’m obsessed.
This film is rated PG.
Related Blogs:
Little Women – Louisa May Alcott
Author Review — Louisa May Alcott