Little Women

Movie review by Peggy Sugarman

Starring:

Jo March Winona Ryder
Amy March Kirsten Dunst
Beth March Clare Danes
Meg March Trini Alvarado
Mrs. March Susan Sarandon
Laurie Christian Bale
Friedrich Bhaer Gabriel Byrne

Directed by: Gillian Armstrong
Produced by: Denise DiNovi.
Written by: Robin Swicord.
Based on the book by Louisa May Alcott.

Running time: 115 minutes.

I remember the feeling on Christmas morning, 1994: my young daughters had gotten us up very early to see what Santa had brought them; we had eaten a large, gourmet breakfast and were filled to the brim with the after-Christmas “what do we do now”? New to the Oakland area, we decided to go to see “Little Women” and ventured out into the quiet afternoon. I remember being surprised how many people were actually at the movies, having then been little acquainted with people who didn’t celebrate Christmas at all. We sat down with popcorn and relaxed. Perhaps it was just this relaxed and happy state that made me like this movie so much, but I have enjoyed it every single time I have seen it. And, given that it was one of my favorite stories as a young girl, it never disappointed me; the characters remained true to those created by Louisa May Alcott.

Alcott places the March family in Concord, Massachusetts in 1862 during the Civil War. Father March has gone off to attend to the needs of the soldiers leaving Mother and four daughters to fend for themselves during some tough economic times. Susan Sarandon, who is one of my favorite actors, is the perfect March matriarch; a woman who is politically liberal for the times and seems always to know what her daughters need no matter what their age. The eldest daughter Meg, played by Trini Alvarado is the perfect lady; Winona Ryder plays rambunctious writer Jo March, Claire Danes plays sickly Beth and a young Kirsten Dunst is the spoiled Amy.

While harsh economic times are hitting the March family, it is tough to see when they are living in what I would love to call my own home: a large, beautiful Colonial that few could afford today. However, they show just how hard times are when they decide to give their long-awaited Christmas breakfast to a starving family, merrily singing with coffeepot steaming as the traipse through the snow. Jo waves gaily to the lonely but rich young man in the house next door.

It is surprising just how this seemingly corny setting gets under your skin. The girls, at Jo’s urging, finally befriend Laurie and include them in their most secret activities: performing Jo’s plays in full costume. The storminess of the friendship between Laurie and Jo is not quite as apparent in the film as it is in the book, so it is less surprising when Laurie eventually proclaims his love. Jo, however, dreams of becoming an author. Her general restlessness eventually leads her to leave the family home where she can pursue life on her own terms.

Claire Danes does a great job in portraying sweet and uncomplaining Beth, who continues to try to help the starving family after Christmas is over. The purity of this character borders on unbelievable, in stark contrast to the spoiled and self-centered Amy (Kirsten Dunst). But Danes pulls it off nicely.

This film has a great deal to recommend itself, particularly during this holiday season: Self-examination, pursuit of dreams, life, love and bittersweet endings. The actors work in seamless unison and leave you both laughing and crying – at least, for those sentimental types of which I am one. Watching Jo work through her grief with pen and ink only to produce her first published novel is something to which we can, as writers, relate. So, do yourself a favor and see this one if you haven’t already. And if you have, see it again. May your holiday season be filled with the simple joys that you will find there.

Peggy Sugarman has spent 25 years working in California's workers' compensation system, having served 8 years as the Chief Deputy Director of the state's regulatory agency. She holds a Master's degree in Counseling and is currently consulting for the California Applicants' Attorneys Associa-tion -- an organization of attorneys who represent workers and fights for legislation to help workers who are injured on the job. She occasionally writes for on-line publications and is working on her first novel. She and her husband and two daughters reside in Oakland, California.

You can email Peggy with movies you’d like to see reviewed at Psugarman@earthlink.net