LITTLE WOMEN

Rated

Moral Rating:	Good
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience:	All Ages
Genre:	Drama
Length:	1 hr. 55 min.
MPAA Rating:

In a world where most movies contain premarital sex, vulgar language, sexual innuendo, homosexuality, and other acts of the sinful nature, it is refreshing to see that there are still some morally solid and entertaining family films. “Little Women” is one of them.

Based on the classic novel by Louisa May Alcott, “Little Women” revolves around the four March sisters: Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, as they grow up in a post-Civil War New England. We watch them grow from little girls into mature young women, and see them as they experience both life and love. Meg (Trini Alvarado) is the conservative sister whose wish it is to find a man and settle down. Jo (Winona Ryder) is the tomboy who has dreams of becoming a writer in a male dominated society. Amy (Kirsten Dunst, Samantha Mathis) is the “brat” of the family who turns into a lovely young woman. And Beth (Claire Danes) is the frail sister who only cares about serving others and eventually pays the ultimate price for doing so.

There are many Christian aspects to “Little Women”… the relationships shown between Meg and her soon-to-be-husband, plus that between Jo and Professor Baehr (Gabriel Byrne), show no signs of immorality. Secondly, the girls are homeschooled (though that may have been the norm or more common in that period of time). Thirdly, Beth shows true Christianity in serving others, especially their Hummel family neighbors. She even goes as far as giving up her breakfast so that they may eat. Even when she suffers for her good deeds, she never complains or shows one ounce of regret. The sisters also sacrifice what little money they have so that their mother may have some new things. And finally, Jo learns that its better to just be who God meant for you to be, no matter what others say or do. There's no use in pretending.

The film covers all kinds of ground, from family relationships to friendships to marriage to following your dreams. I'm sure that every girl who watches this will be able to identify with at least one of the little women.

There is absolutely no foul language used in this movie and its very refreshing to see both a healthy, loving family relationship like the March family, as well as moral relationships between the men and the women in the film. I highly recommend this movie to men and women, young and old. Maybe if society would support more movies like this one, Hollywood would make more of them!

Year of Release—1994

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This movie was beautiful and fun and absolutely worth renting! With so much trash being marketed by Hollywood, this movie is like a breath of fresh air. Wonderful for the whole family. My Ratings: [5/5]
—Katrea Carbone, age 28

Love It! One of the few movies out there that is still worth renting! I bought it, and absolutely ADORE it. But make sure if you see it, you take your mom, your sisters, and a box of kleenex! My Ratings: [5/4]
—Annie, age 21

This film is one of my all time favourites, and a real tear jerker. The sets and costumes are beautiful and the acting is brilliant. I especially like the touching scenes between Jo and Beth [during their difficult family time]… This film has no bad language, pre-marital sex or violence which means that it can be enjoyed by everyone. It also stays close to the original text, which is a real bonus to all who love the book. If you enjoy the film may I suggest you read the book, as this discusses the struggles and triumphs of the girls lives as Christians. A wonderful film which reminds us to love and support each other despite our different characters and approaches to life. My Ratings: [4½/5]
—Jo Stubberfield, age 27

I rate this 4½ only because it is not outright evangelical in its message. This delightful movie is one for the whole family although adolescent boys might have a harder time finding a character to identify with. This movie is the antithesis of the shallow, ego-centric gratuitous violence and morally skimpy scripts of todays cinematic experience. I saw it 4 years ago and time has proven it to be one of the most memorable.

The message it delivers is full of Christ-like attitudes such as temperance, unselfishness and family cohesiveness. Especially touching are the theatre skits the sisters put on for themselves in the attic with props and costumes they make. They thus entertain themselves letting their imaginations fill in for what they don't have materially. And they do have to tighten the belts since the father is no longer in the family picture. The determination and family unity mother and daughters show in the face of material hardship demonstrate that perseverance pays off. It is realistic too, not totally polyannish since not all ends well for everyone. Yet the message stays clear even at this point, persevere, it is worth it.

Another wonderful aspect of this production is that it presents life from the female perspective which helps us males continue to learn to take that perspective into consideration along life's path because it is a very tender and lovely viewpoint to understand, one that ultimately is demonstrative of our Heavenly Father's very character which led Him to send Christ to save us from ourselves. And of course that way of selfless giving is the essence of life itself as defined by God for us on this earth. The cinematography is luscious and striking at many points. The young girls deliver fine performances all the way through. This film deserves an oscar or two. My Ratings: [4½/4½]
—Bob MacLean, age 50