Little Women – 1994

……”I have nothing to offer you. I come to you with empty hands”, says Professor Baer to Jo. Her simplistic reply, as she slips her hand into his is really the heart of the movie, indeed, the heart of the entire family of characters that make up the March family following the Civil War in Concord, Massachusetts.

Adapted for this production by Robin Swicord from the novel by Louisa May Alcott, director Gillian Armstrong relied on a gifted cast to portray the family that has known better times but is striving to survive as the father goes off to war. Perhaps a little too liberal at times with this adaptation, I enjoyed the added idea that the Marches were stonily set in their ways dealing with women’s rights and the black movement.

Indeed, the novel depicts these ladies as independent thinkers, able to manage on their own. Therefore, it seemed only correct that they would back the suffrage movement.

Basically revolving around the trials and tribulations of the vain and pretty eldest daughter Meg (Trini Alvardo), the outspoken writer, Jo (Winona Ryder), the ethereal and musical Beth (Claire Danes), and Amy (Kirsten Dunst/Samantha Mathis), the youngest, artistically talented daughter. Holding this group of headstrong women together is the mother, Marmee (Susan Sarandon).

Marmee believes women have the right to pursue their dreams, no matter what the dream may be. Of course, during these times, this isn’t always well accepted, as noted when Jo goes to New York to attempt to become a published author. It is in NY that Jo meets Professor Baer (Gabriel Byrne), who pushes her to write from her heart rather than what is wanted by the public.

The entire story centers on the events that surround these girls as they mature into women, and the stumbling blocks they face in their life. Father is injured in the war, Beth becomes deadly ill, Meg falls for the pitifully poor but wonderful tutor next door, John Brooke (Eric Stoltz), Amy comes into her own as an artist and goes to Europe to expand her education.

Each story revolves around the other, interlocking and overlapping, drawing you into their lives and the circumstances that brought them there. We watch love and death take this family from one era to another and laugh and cry along side of them.

Throughout the movie the scenery is fantastic. Special attention was made for period appearances, seasonal changes, down to comforting quilts and splendid flowers. The exterior shots glowed with the different seasons, snow piled on trees, flowers in bloom, wind, rain, storms. As well, interior shots took in the rich detail of a time long gone.

Furniture gleamed with a well worn glow, fires burned behind grates, candles shimmered in the background. Detail wise, I rank this with Ethan Fromme as far as exterior scenery and interior niceties.

As far as acting abilities go, this was a cast of seasoned actors. Susan Sarandon appears at home in the flowing dresses with high collars and bustles on the back. Age does not seem to affect Ms. Sarandon, she seems as fresh as she did in the early 70’s and I find her just as alluring in these period clothes as I did out of her clothes in White Palace. Falling into the mothering role, firm but loving, of this group of little women, she molds them into what they want to be, not what is expected of them.

Winona Ryder as the headstrong and outspoken Jo March added fire and appeal to the production. Although many thought that Beth was the glue that held this family together, I felt that it was Jo – the one fighting for all their rights.

Speaking of Beth, Claire Danes, beautiful and cultured, she gives you someone to want to comfort throughout the movie. Perhaps the most diverse role in the movie, Amy, was played by Kirsten Dunst as a child, then Samantha Mathis as the ‘elder’ 16-year old artist in Paris.

She is the one member of the cast that we observe in her young and childishly jealous ways, then get to watch mature into a beautiful and creative adult. This gave us a small glimpse into what having this house full of women must have been like for the father, who makes a small appearance, Matthew Walker.

Other actors of note: the wonderful Mary Wickes as Aunt March, gives what I consider her character performance. Cadgy old lady, manipulating the family to her ways; Eric Stoltz gives as clear performance as the love struck tutor; John Neville as the neighboring Mr. Laurence; Christian Bale as his son, Laurie, with a soft spot for all those March women; and finally Gabriel Byrne as Professor Baer, who serves to ground the ever flying Jo.

Little Women received Oscar nominations for Best Acress (Winona Ryder), Best Costume Design (Colleen Atwood) and Best Musical Score (Thomas Newman), 1995. In 1994, Kirsten Dunst won Best Supporting Actress from the Boston Society of Film Critics for her part in Little Women AND Interview with the Vampire.

In 1995, Colleen Atwood was again nominated by British Academy Awards for Best Costume Design; Carrie Frazier & Shani Ginsberg were nominated for the Artios from the Casting Society of America for Best Casting for a Feature Film, Drama; Robin Swicord was nominated by Writers Guild of America for Best Screenplay based on material previously produced or published; and Young Artist Awards nominated Claire Danes for Best Performance by a Young Actress, with the movie receiving Best Family Motion Picture – Drama nomination.

Finally, in 1995, Kirsten Dunst won the Young Artist Award for Best Performance by a young actress co-starring in a motion picture.

Thanks,
Susi

The Oracle says: Trini Alvarado has a Bacon number of 2.

Trini Alvarado was in Babe, The (1992) with Roy Hytower
Roy Hytower was in Novocaine (2001) with Kevin Bacon

Compliments of: Department of Computer Science
School of Engineering, University of Virginia