Rating: 
Summary: What You Would Call a "Beautiful" and Brilliant Movie
Review: In my opinion, this is the best version of "Little Women". Although it sways just a bit from the book, it captures the essence of the book perfectly and weaves a story that works splendidly. The acting is phenominal and the casting was done incredibly well. Claire Daines, Christian Bale, and Susan Sarandon provide a stability to the movie that grounds it (and they do it so well), and Winona Ryder brings the passion and character of the beloved "Jo" that makes it such a fantastic film.I also find this movie a thing of beauty. Everything about it, from the cinematography, to the color schemes, to the sets, to the seasons and the natural shots, to the Oscar nominated score, to the costumes, to the acting and the storyline, are beautiful. They work together in an artistic collaboration to create an atmosphere of reality and eye candy that can only be achieved through a period film. Certain period films have elements that will stand out and ruin the feeling of belief, but this movie suceeds in it's efforts to keep you suspended there, and the whole movie flows wonderfully together. This is a brilliant movie.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: Louisa May Alcott's Classic novel of sisterly love is brought to life in a truly remarkable motion picture production.Little Women is a vibrant,lavish version of this timeless classic.The costumes,sets and acting are very well done indeed.I feel the films strongest point however is Winona Ryder's engaging portrayal of the storys main character "Jo".It's although Louisa May Alcott had her in mind to play this part when she wrote the story over a hundred years ago.The story of a young woman irevocably engaged in her talent and passion for storytelling and the loved ones around her.An acting triumph for Wynona Ryder!A great family film and also a film to enjoy with whoever you happen to be watching with.A truly inspiring Tale,I loved it!
Rating:
Summary: Gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling!
Review: The most recent screen version of Louisa May Alcott's 'Little Women' is definitely worth your time and money. And it simply isn't enough to rent it occasionally; you need it in your personal collection. The script is faithful to the book: although a few scenes aren't here and some details are a bit different, it doesn't take away from the charm, or the unique satisfaction that comes only from watching a great film. It's clear that everyone involved with creating the picture, both in front of and behind the cameras, gave their best efforts with very fine results. The plot: The March family live in Massachusetts during the Civil War. Mr. March is away doing his part for the Union, leaving his wife (Susan Sarandon) to mind the roost and the four March sisters: sensible Meg (Trini Alvarado); plucky, tomboyish and brainy Jo (Winona Ryder); sweet, tenderhearted Beth (Claire Danes); and hilariously vain little Amy (Kirsten Dunst and later in the film, Samantha Mathis). The girls go through poignant changes together as well as individually and have some highly amusing spats. There's also some deep heartache (I won't spoil it for those who haven't read the book or seen the movie yet). Regardless of their troubles and circumstances, the March clan stays tightly knit. Mrs. March takes a light feminist turn in this version of the film, and although it's something I could do without, it doesn't change the tone any. The casting is superb; the actresses playing the sisters compliment each other very well. And the hunk factor is astounding! Eric Stoltz and Christian Bale are just dandy as John Brooke and Theodore "Laurie" Lawrence, but it's Gabriel Byrne who really butters my toast! His Professor Bhaer is one of the best roles I've seen him in, and his scenes with Ms. Ryder are memorable and very sweet. This movie has the feel and taste of a film from the Golden Age; it's refreshing to see a modern film that's truly entertaining with no sex, violence or bad language, and no flashy special effects to detract from the acting. It's a great movie for all ages without being fluffy or cheesy. You can feel the warmth and charm jumping out of the screen, making it impossible not to love all of the characters you meet, even fussy old Aunt March! The bottom line: A beautiful little film to watch year-round, alone or with friends and family. Don't miss this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Flawed but I watch it again and again!
Review: In my opinion, this version of Little Women has it's flaws; First, in my mind Katharine Hepburn will always be the perfect Jo March--Winona Ryder is far too pretty to be credible as Jo (although her acting is great), Samantha Mathis is awful (particularly contrasted with the absolutely perfect embodiment of Amy by Kristen Dunst--if only they could have spliced in Elizabeth Taylor's perfect "adult" Amy from the 1949 version!), Claire Danes was physically wrong as Beth and I thought her death scene was disappointing, and I thought Eric Stoltz was awfully modern as Mr. Brooke. However, the sets, costumes and cinematography are perfect (Jo running out into the rain to meet the Prof. is one of my favorite visuals), Susan Sarandon, Christian Bale and Trini Alvarado are fabulous and Gabriel Byrne won me over (looking like Spencer Tracy's hunkier brother!). I loved the injection of Alcott's politics, feminism and real life experiences. I saw this film on opening day, watched the video at least once a month, and finally upgraded to DVD. The documentary and director's commentary are wonderful. Buy it!!
Rating:
Summary: This film captures the spirit of the book
Review: While this film version of LITTLE WOMEN does not follow the book exactly, it captures its spirit with expert performances and cinematography. The soundtrack beautifully enhances this classic story of a family of women, struggling largely by themselves, in unforgiving New England. This may be Winona Ryder's best role - she captures the ambitious spunk of Jo with a winning performance. As Jo's sisters, Trini Alvarado (Meg), Claire Danes (Beth) and Kirsten Dunst (the young Amy) give strong, if sometimes uneven, performances. Susan Sarandon as Marmee has the right measure of no-nonsense Puritanism; her feminist lines often are too heavy-handed for this film that otherwise has a light touch, but the way she sweeps into a room overshadows any flaws in the writing. All in all, this is an excellent adaptation. Children may be bored by the art film pace, but teens and adults will delight in these characters brought to life by nuanced performances. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: What You Would Call a "Beautiful" and Brilliant Movie
Review: In my opinion, this is the best version of "Little Women". Although it sways just a bit from the book, it captures the essence of the book perfectly and weaves a story that works splendidly. The acting is phenominal and the casting was done incredibly well. Claire Daines, Christian Bale, and Susan Sarandon provide a stability to the movie that grounds it (and they do it so well), and Winona Ryder brings the passion and character of the beloved "Jo" that makes it such a fantastic film. I also find this movie a thing of beauty. Everything about it, from the cinematography, to the color schemes, to the sets, to the seasons and the natural shots, to the Oscar nominated score, to the costumes, to the acting and the storyline, are beautiful. They work together in an artistic collaboration to create an atmosphere of reality and eye candy that can only be achieved through a period film. Certain period films have elements that will stand out and ruin the feeling of belief, but this movie suceeds in it's efforts to keep you suspended there, and the whole movie flows wonderfully together. This is a brilliant movie.
Rating:
Summary: Capturing the Spirit of a Classic
Review: Little Women was my favorite book as a child, and I still re-read it at least yearly as an adult for the comfort it gives me. I've probably read it 50 times over the last 30 years. I have also seen every filmed version of the book that I could, and was never completely satisfied. I held my breath as this version of the story rolled onto the screen. I was enchanted. It was all there, from the scenery to the costumes to the characters. Winona Ryder perfectly captured my fiery Jo, Kirsten Dunst the vanity of Amy, and Clair Danes the real depths of Beth, without any of them becoming a caricature. I loved the way Trini Alvarado, an actress new to me, potrayed the earnest, wistful, practical Meg. The passionate, fun-loving yet moody Laurie was perfectly found in Christian Bale, and the only difference between Gabriel Byrne and the professor I've always imagined is that Gabriel Byrne is more handsome. Aunt March had more dimensionality to her than in the book (and what a joy to see Mary Wickes in the role!). But the spirit that Louisa May Alcott gave to her book was caught ethereally in Marmee, as portrayed by Susan Sarandon. She was the real foundation of the film, and expanding her character was the wisest decision Gilllian Armstrong made. Yes, some of the things in the film were not in the book, but they were so consistent with the story, so central to the March family philosophy, that perhaps they should have been! I never thought that my beloved book could be improved upon, but it has been in this film. I also wish to mention the sets, the cinematography and the music, all which added so much to make my imagined world of Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy become real. Thank you to everyone who worked on this precious film.
Rating: 
Summary: blah
Review: if one was to compare katharine hepburn to winona ryder, the results would be obvious. the book isn't supposed to be a feminist account, it's supposed to be a civil war tale of a family. since it's so modern, and the acting and even the colors are modern, we never feel the full experience, or that we are in the 1800's. In the 1933 version we feel a part of the family. This is less than inspiring. how clare danes became Beth, i'll never know, what Kirsten dunst is doing here is a mystery. Although SUsan Sarandon is fine, she is the best thing in here, but nowhere near spring bryington. Christian bale is too dreamy, and his and winia'a chemisrty isn't right. it doesn't follow the book, and the cast is miscast. I don't recommend, instead watch the beautifully done 1933 CLASSIC, or even the 1949 one with June Allyson and Margaret O'brien. Skip this.
Rating:
Summary: The best version, and NOT just for kids
Review: This version of Alcott's classic story is luminescent, brilliantly acted, perfectly staged, and far more emotional than the book. Katharine Hepburn's Jo, six decades earlier, was hard to top, but Winona Ryder does it -- with sensitivity, more believable passion, and a far more expressive face. Ryder's Jo is entirely believable in her plunging into writing with reckless abandon, more so than Hepburn, for whom it took second place to love. Yet, paradoxically, the romance is far more believable for the newer Jo when it does come along. Everyone else in the story reflects her struggles and triumphs, and it's a stellar ensemble cast. Especially adept are Trini Alvarado, a conflicted and beautiful Meg; Claire Danes, trembling and heartbreaking as Beth; Christian Bale, giving a raucous edge to next-door Laurie; and most of all, Gabriel Byrne, a younger-by-15-years Prof. Bhaer, finally made both believable and romantic. All actors portray the same character throughout except for Kirsten Dunst and Samantha Mathis, who assay Amy at ages 12 and 17. Others have criticized this casting, but it worked well for me, especially in the older Amy taking her propriety and "finishing" far more seriously than it deserved. The story does depart slightly from the book, but not from Alcott, and the film is better for it -- certainly less precious and affected. A few plot elements from "Little Men" and later books flesh out this story, and Alcott's own attitudes about empowering women are brought into Susan Sarandon's quietly powerful Marmee. The Alcott family's intellectual interests inform Jo's stay in New York, adding some depth and grounding to her character and romantic feelings. This new DVD's features are a delight, especially in Gillian Armstrong's intense narration on the commentary track. She had a vision and depth of attention to this film's details that ought to be celebrated, yet rarely is for women directors. Outtakes are also narrated, a rarity. The making-of featurette and other elements are well-shaped, though Danes's behind-the-scenes program from HBO is not present, which is a bit disappointing. The transfers are crisp and clear, both video and audio. Thomas Newman's brilliant music can be heard on a separate audio track, and anyone who likes this film should watch it once with just his evocative (and often-imitated) score filling the ears.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Adaptation
Review: I never get tired of this adaptation of the Louisa May Alcott book. Winona Ryder plays Jo to perfection. The performance WAS worthy of an Oscar. Kirsten Dunst surprised me, giving off more acting range than previously expected. Her spoiled Amy is one of the characters that make the movie what it is. And Claire Danes as Beth was perfectly cast. The scene where Beth dies is so perfect because you find yourself in there with Jo, hiding from the thunder and turning to see Beth's probably dead body. That sounds so insensitive, but how else could I put it? Even as Jo says she hates Amy for burning her manuscript, she saves Amy from the ice-cold water and we feel the love these sisters all share. In the beginning, Meg is serious and composed. In the end, she's serious and composed yet still full of love and sense. Jo is a mischievous writer in the beginning. By the end, she is mature and realizing that she has much to learn. Beth never loses an inch of her genuine kindness, and it's sad to see her die. Amy is a spoiled little girl, and by the time the credits roll she's been to Europe and she's married and happy. These transformations are so believable that this movie will never feel old, and you'll be sucked right in to watch it all unfold before your eyes. An excellent film that should have gotten several Oscars.
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