Little Women - Movie Review

For many millennials, it’s probably hard to believe that more than twenty years have passed since Gillian Armstrong’s 1994 version of Little Women premiered in theatres. Indeed, it’s been a long time, but this adaptation definitely holds up, and it’s easy to see why it remains a beloved Christmas classic. 

Winona Ryder stars in this adaptation as Jo March alongside Susan Sarandon as Marmie, Claire Danes as Beth, and other beloved stars from the 1990s. The film focuses on the sisters’ growing pains, the financial struggles they deal with in light of the Civil War, various heartwrenching familial tragedies, and their desire for independence. Especially Jo who fights hard for her voice as a writer, and decides to make the fateful decision to strike it out on her own in New York.

The direction and storytelling are fluid, and all the major scenes in the book are included without giving off the stench of pandering to fans of the series: they remain true to the character development and plotting as presented in the film.