User reviews

With their father away fighting in the Civil War, Joe, Meg, Beth and Amy grow up with their mother in somewhat reduced circumstances. They are a close family who inevitably have their squabbles and tragedies. But the bond holds even when, later, men friends start to become a part of the household.

If you haven't read the book, you might enjoy this slow-moving, wholesome film. However, if you have read the book, do yourself a favor and do not see this film. You will be greatly disappointed.

This is one of those movies where the book was far better than the movie. Quite disappointing. The movie moved very slow and did not hold or grab me as a watcher. They really downplayed the richness and colorfulness of the characters and it was not dramatic, funny or that entertaining. It totally missed the mark, and it shouldn't have.

Filmmakers have been able to capture the spirit of Jane Austen's novels in a wonderful way, however, this can not be compared to that. It's like comparing apples and oranges. The classiness, humor, drama and entertainment of the novel is not portrayed in this film.

Little Women has a starry cast and sumptuous production values. It is handsomely mounted if a little dull.

Set in Massachusetts, the film follows the lives and loves of the four March sisters during and after the Civil war.

Susan Sarandon plays their strong willed mother.

Christian Bale shines as neighbour Laurie who has a torch for Jo (Winona Ryder) but she rejects his marriage proposal. In later years he falls for and marries the younger sister Amy.

Meanwhile Jo becomes a writer in New York and falls for a German professor Friedrich Bhaer played by Gabriel Byrne who seemed to have arrived in America having spent some time in Dublin judging by the accent.

Gillian Armstrong has made a leisurely paced elegant film with a modern, feminist spin. It just lacked vroom.

Four sisters in Civil War America--Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy--live with their mother while father is away at battle. Well-received version of Louisa May Alcott's oft-filmed book is distinguished mostly by its cast, although I didn't quite believe Susan Sarandon as "Marmee" to this gaggle of girls. Winona Ryder is a nearly-perfect Jo (one can almost hear echoes of Katharine Hepburn in her delivery), and Thomas Newman has contributed a lovely (if generic-lovely) score. Three Oscar nominations, including Ryder as Best Actress. Screenwriter Robin Swicord received a WGA nomination for Best Screenplay Based on Material Previously Published. ** from ****