Little Women (1994)

9.0 Popcorn Boxes

Winona Ryder heads a cast of very capable actors in this adaptation of the book by Louisa May Alcott, published in two parts in 1868 and 1869, just after America's Civil War.   The book is partly based on Alcott and her three sisters, and is set during the Civil War..

In addition to the strong female characters (around which, of course, the film revolves), there are significant male roles, in particular Gabriel Bryne, who plays Friedrich Bhaer, a German professor who falls in love with Ryder's character, Jo.  (Trini Alvarado plays Meg, Claire Danes is the doomed Beth, and Kirsten Dunst plays Amy, rounding out the four female leads.  Susan Sarandon is the girl's matriarch.)

My impressions:  The acting is very good.  Winona is in the film the most of all the girls, and she's very good here.  The set design is very good as well.  The period is captured well in the sets, and the production value is good.  The script holds together well, and flows nicely.

A strongly recommended film.  This has been billed as a woman's film, but I thought it worked well as a period film that doesn't stint on the male characters.

Rated PG