Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful!
Review: This movie is so wonderful - the sets, the color, the costumes. The music was beautiful and whenever I watch this I wish I could jump in and join in the feast and the theatrical plays the March sisters put on.This movie is right up there with "Beaches" and "Gone with the Wind" as far as tearjerkers go. The characters are wonderful - I especially like Beth, Laurie and Laurie's grandfather, and Professor Behr. Claire Danes as Beth I liked very much; the scene where Laurie's grandfather gives her the piano was so natural, it makes me cry. I can't make it through the scene where Laurie declares his love for Jo without about ten tissues. Maybe it is due to the fact that Christian Bale is so unbelievably handsome and Laurie would be type of man I would go for, but my heart literally aches for him in this scene. I agree with most of the other reviews that Samantha Mathis as the older Amy was all wrong for this film - she was stilted and very cold and Bale's Laurie was the complete opposite. I like to watch this movie at Christmastime too - it would make a great gift for an 8-12 year old girl.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Movie
Review: I enjoyed watching this version. I have seen the other two versions from the 1930s and 1940s and this was comparable.
Winona Ryder did a very good job as Jo and captured Jo's spirit perfectly. The movie never got slow and kept me riveted.
I really enjoyed Gabriel Byrne's portrayal of Professor Behr and thought he captured the character perfectly. Professor Behr has always been my favorite character, so I enjoyed this portrayal of him. The opera scene was the most touching and romantic scene between him and Jo.
Claire Danes as Beth was a little out of place. Beth was quite capable in the book and I found this Beth a little weak. The death scene was very touching and a tear-jerker. Samantha Mathis, as the older Amy, was a bit stilted in her performance and I could find no real chemistry between her and Christian Bale (Laurie). I loved Kristen Dunst and Trini Alvarado. Susan Sarandon as always held her own as the matriarch, Marmie.
I would recommend this for any DVD collection, especially for any Little Women fan. A great movie when one is in the mood for a relaxing afternoon.
Rating: 
Summary: Good but flawed
Review: This is overall an enjoyable and fairly faithful adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's well-loved book, but it, like the other filmed versions, has its problems.
I wish, for instance, that they hadn't chosen to combine Alcott's first two books about the March family into one film. This results in many small but enjoyable scenes being cut or compressed, and some characters (Laurie's grandfather, for instance) all but ignored. Moreover, the second book, Good Wives, is more uneven and less enjoyable than Little Women--too sprawling and pat--which drags the second half of the film down.
Generally the performances are quite good. I like Winona Ryder's fiestiness and humour as Jo, although I feel that she was physically a little too pretty and delicate. Claire Danes was a disappointment, although she's usually very reliable. Her Beth was properly shy, but not soft and capable as she should be. Her retincence seemed almost like a mental handicap. Trini Alvarado was great as Meg, she really seemed like a product of that era, and Kirsten Dunst had Amy pretty much down pat. Samantha Mathis, playing the older Amy was all wrong though, too old to be only four years older (she looked older than Ryder) and far, far too stilted. Gabriel Byrne's professor was the perfect antidote to Christian Bale's Laurie, too. It was easy to see why Jo would choose The Professor...but then I'd take Gabriel Byrne over just about anyone.
Rating:
Summary: A pretty good movie, except . . . .
Review: Having seen all versions of the movie and having loved the book, I would have given this a higher rating except that the mis-casting of Clare Danes really spoiled this movie for me. I thought Winona Ryder did a credible job and comparisons with Katherine Hepburn and June Allyson would be inevitable. Susan Sarandon was good as the mother too. But, who in the world cast Clare Danes as Beth! She's too big, too tall, there's nothing frail about her. In one scene where she is laying in bed, her legs and ankles look like giant Sequoias. Her acting is nothing to brag about either. If another version is made, please read the book and the descriptions of the characters.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful film
Review: this is a movie that just really touches your heart. it's one of my all-time favorites, wonderful to watch at christmastime.
Rating:
Summary: Not exactly the book, but still wonderful
Review: I thought the movie was wonderful. Yes, Marmee's character was a little more of a feminist than in the book, and Winona Ryder is a little too pretty, but I love the movie. The performances are spectacular, I thought Ryder and Christian Bale who played Laurie were especially wonderful. I didn't like how they made Mr. Brooks odd however. Overall the movie is very enjoyable and one of my favorites. I only wish they could have added the lovely scenes and smaller bits in the book to the movie. But it was still enchanting and heart warming.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best musical scores ever!
Review: I have never read the book, OK? But the film has become one of our perrineal Christmas favorites. The movie is a visual feast of real, or simulated New England autumns and winters. The soundtrack is an orchestral treat that is rich and moving. Susan Sarandon does manage to inject Marmie with a certain self-righteous, leftist, feminist, scolding quality, but overall, wholesome family themes win out. Each time we watch this film, it's even better than we remembered it.
Rating: 
Summary: Not faithful to Alcott's classic tale
Review: There were several things I found terribly jarring about this film, points at which I was not sure if I was viewing a film version of this classic tale or merely someone's political viewpoint showing through a fine veneer of Alcott's story. The beginning, which in the book shows the personality of the sisters through their conversation, is neglected. Winona Ryder isn't the best Jo- too pretty and piquant. They needed someone with more spirit, someone perhaps a little plainer. Claire Danes didn't work out as Beth, either-too tall and with too deep a voice. They needed someone smaller, and more timid looking. Kirsten Dunst made a good Amy, but I wanted a more clear transition to Mathis than was portrayed. Also, why all the feminist lines put into Marmee's mouth? And why the cutting out of nearly every mention of God when the Marches were devout Christians-Mr. March was a minister, for crying out loud! And Meg's declination of the silk dress because of the workers in China-come on, everyone who's read the book knows Meg wanted a silk dress. Too many important scenes were skipped, and the relationship between Jo and the Professor is not what it was in the book. Overall a very disappointing adaptation. I reccomend the Katherine Hepburn version.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful Adaptation of the Classic Book
Review: I feel this version of "Little Women" did Louisa May Alcott's book justice. No, the film did not completely correspond with the book, but I can overlook that thanks to the beautiful musical score, the gorgeous scenery, and the superb acting talents of Winona Ryder and Susan Sarandon. I highly recommend this heartwarming film!
Rating:
Summary: A great movie and a great remake!!!
Review: To start out, this is one of my favorite books. So I of course started out with an additude to begin with, muttering that the book was always better. In this case, I was so wrong. The characters portrayed in this film are the same ones I met in 5th grade when I first read "Little Women". The actors shine in their roles and truly embody everyone one of the literary creations they represents.
Playing the March matriarch, Susan Sarandon is great! She is able to maintain the feel of the period while bringing to Marmee an empowering bout of women's rights thoughts. Sarandon gives off warmth and knowledge wiht the apparent ease of someone completely familiar with the material.
Wynona Ryder is another standout here. She is the raging bundle of emotion that we have all come to know as Jo March. Playing down her usually unique features, Ryder plays the part with spunk and earnestness.
My favorite here is Christian Bale as the oft put uopn Theodore "Laurie" Lawrence. Quite a jump from his "Newsies" days, Bale is the best Laurie I have seen on screen to date. He has the mannerisms and lines down to perfection, while still maintaining the spontanaity that really is a huge part of Laurie's character. He also handles the age jump incredibly well.
Not until my most recent viewing of the movie did I realize Gabriel Byrne was Professor Bhaer. The native irishman does a great job of bringing Frerdrick to life, right down to his physical bumbling and poetic heart.
In my opinion, this movie was a complete triumph and a complete success from novel to film. All actors are fine in their roles, most exceptional, and it is such a joy to see an old favorite and all-time classic brought to life which such enthusiasm and talent. This is a must-see for any fan of the novel~although it will leave you yearning for "Little Men" and Jo's Boys" featuring this cast-which has yet to be done!!
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