Today’s Prayer Focus
MOVIE REVIEW

Little Women

also known as “Mujercitas,” “Betty und ihre Schwestern,” “Les quatre filles du Docteur March,” “Adoráveis Mulheres,” See more »
MPA Rating: PG-Rating (MPA) for two uses of mild language.

Reviewed by: Maggi
CONTRIBUTOR

Moral Rating: Better than Average
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience: Teens Adults
Genre: Drama Adaptation
Length: 1 hr. 55 min.
Year of Release: 1994
USA Release: December 21, 1994 (exclusive)
December 25, 1994 (wide)
Copyright, Columbia Picturesclick photos to ENLARGE
Relevant Issues
Copyright, Columbia Pictures

difficulties of post-Civil War New England

Louisa May Alcott (novelist)

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DEPRESSION—Are there biblical examples of depression and how to deal with it? Answer

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epidemic

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ORIGIN OF BAD—How did bad things come about? Answer

Did God make the world the way it is now? What kind of world would you create? Answer

Featuring Winona RyderJo March
Kirsten DunstYounger Amy March
Claire DanesBeth March
Christian BaleLaurie
Susan SarandonMrs. March
Gabriel Byrne … Friedrich Bhaer
Trini Alvarado … Meg March
Samantha Mathis … Older Amy March
Eric Stoltz … John Brooke
John Neville … Mr. Laurence
Mary Wickes … Aunt March
See all »
Director Gillian Armstrong
Producer Columbia Pictures Corporation
DiNovi Pictures
Denise DiNovi … producer
Robin Swicord … co-producer
Warren Carr … associate producer
Distributor Distributor: Columbia Pictures. Trademark logo.Columbia Pictures, a division of Sony Pictures

“The story that has lived in our hearts For generations”

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 it’s 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!

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.


Viewer CommentsSend your comments
Positive—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
Positive—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
Positive—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
Positive—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.See all »
My Ratings: [4½/4½]
Bob MacLean, age 50
Positive—Before viewing this film for the first time, I consulted this site, as I almost always do. The comments seemed extremely favorable, and I was expecting a movie of very high moral value, so I was slightly surprised by some of the moral issues in this film. I was undecided about whether to rate this film with a “good” or a “better than average” rating, and I was tempted to use “good,” just because it is so good, compared to most of the movies out there. But then I read the description of “good” given at this site: “good morals, clean and NOTHING Biblically offensive.” That just isn’t true, and I thought again about some of the concerns and changed my review to “better than average.”

Indeed, most people would not even bat an eye at the scenes which caused me concern, but my family is very cautious about what we view, and there were a few parts which made us cringe. I know that families come here to this site to see if a movie fits within their guidelines for viewing, and there are no other comments for this film which give warnings of issues that may concern some Christians. See all »
My Ratings: Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 4½
Shawna, age 34 (USA)
Neutral—I’m writing to congratulate Shawna (34) USA for her wonderfully incisive and thoughtful review. I have seen both the 1933 and 1949 versions of this movie. I found Shawna’s review relevant even to those earlier movies. The long lustful kisses were absent from the “33 movie. I thank you, Shawna, for taking the time to write such an insightful review for sensitive Christians, as I am, and as you are. This review helped me to decide whether I’d allow my 9 year old daughter to watch this version. I’m not up for the disappointments lurking, in an otherwise “better than average” movie.

Shawna’s discernment about the word “good” is note worthy and most appreciated. May the good Lord continue to grant to you His wisdom that you may effectually guide your child/children during our short time on Earth, Satan’s playground.
Greg, age 56 (USA)

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