Little Women (1994) - A Movie Review

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"Little Women" is a family drama which was released in 1994. The screenplay was written by Robin Swicord and was based on the 1868 novel of the same name by Louisa May Alcott. This is the fifth remake of "Little Women". It was met with mostly positive reviews and did well at the box office with $50.1 million in box office receipts against a $15 million budget. There were three Academy Award nominations. CAST Winona Ryder - Josephine "Jo" March Gabriel Byrne - Friedrich Bhaer Trini Alvarado - Margaret "Meg" March Kirsten Dunst and Samantha Mathis - Amy March Claire Danes - Elizabeth "Beth" March Christian Bale - Theodore "Laurie" Laurence Eric Stoltz - John Brooke John Neville - Mr. James Laurence Mary Wickes - Aunt March Susan Sarandon - Abigail "Marmee" March Matthew Walker - Mr. March Florence Paterson - Hannah The Marches live in Concord, Massachusetts; and the story takes place in the Civil War era. Mr. March is serving as Chaplain in the Civil War. Marmee must work and so does Meg who is a governess and Jo who is a companion to wealthy Aunt March. Beth is home-schooled; and Amy goes to school; but the teacher is very strict. Jo aspires to be a writer and has a studio up in the attic. This is where the girls escape by acting out the romantic plays that Jo writes. Wealthy Mr. Laurence and grandson, Theodore "Laurie" Laurence live next door. It's Christmas morning; and the girls look forward every year to a hearty breakfast. Mrs. March is away helping a poor family with several children. The girls end up taking their breakfast to the poor family. Jo waves at the Laurences as they go by; and Mr. Laurence remarks that the Marches were "once one of our first families". Sometime later Laurie and Jo meet at a dance at the Laurence house. They dance and laugh and become fast friends. Laurie becomes like a brother to the March girls and even takes part in their plays. If you want to find out what happens, you will have to watch the movie. This is one of the best renditions of "Little Women". The casting fits the characters so well; and the directing is superb too. This is a good movie to watch around the holidays. I give this movie my hearty recommendation. This movie is rated PG. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons (Winona Ryder)