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Little Women (Classic Masterpiece Book & DVD Set) Customer Reviews (1 - 3 of 36 Reviews)

good movie, not really Alcott
Anyone who loved the book will enjoy this movie just for the dazzling color roadshow of one's favorite scenes ("the Pickwick Club," etc.) It would have had to be a miniseries a la ANNE OF GREEN GABLES to really be true to the book, but it was lovely to see so many favorites so rousingly played.

Others have complained about the 1990s refraction of the story. They're right, but Alcott probably wouldn't have minded. I was able to overlook most of that.

However, Claire Danes was so miscast I was unable to let go and really enjoy the film whenever she was in a scene. Beth is supposed to be slight and physically fragile -- strapping Claire Danes looks like she's captain of her field hockey team! Danes works hard at the character but she can't escape the sheer wrongness of her physical self. She appears larger and stronger than any of her sisters or Marmee! Thus instead of seeming competent, but shy and reserved, her Beth seems slightly retarded.

Heartwarming
I am suprised at the diversity of reactions to this movie, though I should not be. This was one of my absolute favorite movies, growing up. My sisters and I watched it over and over, and never got tired of it. I agree with some of the more critical reviewers that some of they key relationships and ideas from Miss Alcotts novel were definately missing in this movie, however. There are, I believe, two reasons for this: 1) A two hour show can only show so much (epsecially if your priority is to get the kissing scenes in there), and 2) Some of the main ideas (i.e. Christianity as the MAIN reason for the developing of one's charactor, ect;) were basically left out so as not to make the people's thinking seem outmoded to modern viewers. That is too bad, but it is still one of the best movies I have ever seen. The filming, acting, music, and setting are beautiful, and convincing. I cry almost every time I watch this. Anyone who has sisters they love would do the same.

Good! And FYI: Amy is Supposed To Be Younger Than Beth!
Louisa May Alcott's book Little Women is a great book and while this movie adaptation from the 1990's is not 100% faithful it is still a good movie and they did get the age thing right with Beth and Amy. I have read some reviews complaining that Amy was younger than Beth in this movie and all I can say is that the peopple making that complaint must never have read the book and must just have seen the older movie that made Beth younger than Amy when in the book it was the other way around. Amy was the youngest child in the book and I for one am glad they got it right in this movie and the only reason that they made Beth younger than Amy in the 1949 version was because the movie studio, director, etc, thought movie watchers in the movies theaters would find it more sad if tradgedy befell the youngest child verses the next to the youngest.

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