Little Women (1994)

Little Women is an extremely emotional film. But it never feels like a manipulative film. The movie earns its emotions, as Matt Zoller Seitz put it, "through dedication, intelligence, and love." I think the movie can be nicely explained through those three words. 

Dedication- Little Women is extremely dedicated to its source. In turn its source, Louisa May Alcott's novel of the same name, is dedicated to the lives of the March clan, a family living in Massachusetts in the late 1860s during the American Civil War. Because of the war, the father of the family, as well as many of the local men, are largely absent from the story. The film, however, shows in great detail the lives of the women they left behind. It is the film's dedication to both the pleasures and pains of the everyday life of the March women that makes it earn its emotions. "Because Little Women acknowledges suffering," writes Seitz "and how tough it is to endure without becoming embittered or cynical, it never crosses the line into outright sentimentality. It's a very emotional movie, but it isn't sappy. It's alternately tender and tough." 

The little women with their mother

The film is not afraid, for example, to show the ailments and demise of Beth, one of the young sisters. It is also not afraid to show the artistic compromises Jo (the writer, protagonist and second oldest sister) has to make in order to make a living and support her family. The film refuses to avoid some of the grim realities of these women who have "fallen on hard times." But this film also takes great pleasure in showing the marvelous theatrics of the March sisters. And, yes, it is particularly interested in their romantic endeavors. The film is dedicated to showing every detail, good or bad. 

Intelligence- the movie raises some pertinent and genuinely interesting questions such as what is the role of women in society? How can a woman follow both her unique path through life while at the same time, staying at harmony with a society of different values? One of my favorite moments of the film has the mother of the March family, played wonderfully by Susan Sarandon, writing a letter to the school of one of her daughters instructing the teacher as to why physical punishment and  humiliation are unacceptable tools for disciplining a child in a classroom. The mother offers some splendid advice to her daughters throughout the movie, here are some of my favorites: 

"Feminine weaknesses and fainting spells are the direct result of our confining young girls to the house, bent over their needlework, and restrictive corsets. "

"Oh, Jo. Jo, you have so many extraordinary gifts; how can you expect to lead an ordinary life? You're ready to go out and - and find a good use for your talent. Tho' I don't know what I shall do without my Jo. Go, and embrace your liberty. And see what wonderful things come of it. "

Trini Alvarado as Meg

"I would rather Meg marry for love and be a poor man's wife than marry for riches and lose her self-respect."

To Jo, after Amy burnt her manuscript she says  “It is a very great loss and you have every right to be  put out. But don't let the sun go down on your anger. Forgive each other, begin again tomorrow."

Finally, and most importantly, she offers that “If you feel your value lies only in being merely decorative, I fear that someday you might find yourself believing that's all you really are. Time erodes all such beauty, but what it cannot diminish is the wonderful workings of your mind."

Claire Danes as Beth

The daughters too, have some wisdom to share. Beth, as played by Claire Danes, seems like an old, wise soul confined in a young, frail body. Her warmth and kindness, which led her to bring food to a local family near starvation, also indirectly made her catch a disease which would eventually claim her life. But Danes never panics, and expertly controls her famous “cry face.” She is mostly calm and subdued.

 From her deathbed, Beth, who lived a quiet and peaceful life, counsels her sister Jo:

Beth- If God wants me with Him, there is none who will stop Him. I don't mind. I was never like the rest of you... making plans about the great things I'd do. I never saw myself as anything much. Not a great writer like you. 
Jo- Beth, I'm not a great writer. 
Beth-  But you will be. Oh, Jo, I've missed you so. Why does everyone want to go away? I love being home. But I don't like being left behind. Now I am the one going ahead. I am not afraid. I can be brave like you. 

Winona Ryder as Jo

Love- A surprisingly young Christian Bale plays Laurie, a man who falls helplessly in love with Jo. However, he slowly finds out, as I did while I watched the film, that he's hopelessly in love with all of these little women. In one scene, Laurie rescues Amy from drowning in a frozen pond. In another, he promises to care for her when unfortunate circumstances separate her from her family. In one sweet, amusing moment, he playfully tells Amy he will kiss her at least once before her death. Theirs is one of the loveliest love stories ever put on film. Kirsten Dunst, who plays the young Amy (there is another actress who plays the older Amy), is absolutely radiant. Out of an insanely talented cast, she shines brightest. The film also chronicles the dealings of the oldest sister, Meg, with a “higher” social class, as she wonders what life could be if she had money, as well as her unlikely relationship with an unattractive, penniless tutor. It is full of both love and romance.

Kirsten Dunst as young Amy

I hope that I have given you a glimpse at the magnificent  work of art that is this movie. I went into Little Women with low expectations,  thinking I would get an overtly manipulative movie. I was not prepared for such a deeply moving portrait of four fascinating little women, and their supporting cast, of course. I leave you with a word from the director. 

"I think the title [of Little Women] has been so off-putting for men over the generations. They feel this is a terribly 'girly' story. But it's actually a wonderful epic tale about family where men's roles are just as important and deeply involved in the story... It is... full of heartfelt emotion and such memorable characters whose lively appeal transcends the years." - Gillian Armstrong 

Verdict- 4/4 
Little Women (1994) PG 1h 55min. 

Random Thoughts
- the link to Matt Zoller Seitz's review http://www.dallasobserver.com/1994-12-22/film/natural-women/
- I was surprised to see Gabriel Byrne, the Irish actor, with a German accent. Although it threw me off, I think he gives a perfectly good performance.