"Little Women" A film review by Linda Lopez McAlister on "The Women's Show" WMNF-FM (88.5), Tampa, FL January 7, 1995 The third Hollywood film version of Louisa May Alcott's classic novel "Little Women" was released around the country on Christmas Day. I haven't seen them all (the 1933 version directed by George Cuckor and starring Katherine Hepburn as Jo is playing at the Tampa Theater Sunday afternoon at 3:00 in their Classic Movie Series), but I do remember the 1940s version with June Allyson and I thought it was dreadful even at my tender age at the time. So I wasn't at all sure I was going to be able to stomach a whole big-screen epic of family values in 19th C. Concord, Mass. at my current advanced age. I needn't have worried. This sturdy version of the novel, put together by a team of talented youngish women filmmakers including Australian director Gillian Armstrong, screenwriter Robin Swicord, and producer Denise Di Novi, is one that is constructed to appeal to women of their generation. That is, it's made by and for women who have grown up with feminism and who, while they may or may not identify themselves as feminists, take for granted a whole range of feminist ideas including that women are capable of making their own choices, whether or not they agree or diverge from the paths expected of them. As a result much of th feminist subtext of the novel is now brought to the fore and highlighted in the film. Susan Sarandon's Mrs. March is a case in point. The film shows that she works with the poor (just as Alcott's mother did-- she was one of the first social workers in Massachusetts); she practices homeopathic medicine (the only kind women had access to at the time); she as well as her husband are Transcendentalists; and she forthrightly teaches her daughters based on principles that are straight our of Mary Wollstonecraft. She makes sure they get lots of physical exercise and she tells them: "If you feel your value lies only in being merely decorative I fear that someday you might find yourself believing that's all you really are. Time erodes all such beauty but what it cannot diminish is the wonderful workings of your mind." Not bad advice to give daughters in the 18th, 19th, or 20th centuries. The film is visually beautiful, shot mostly on location in British Columbia. It is episodic and atmospheric and filled with a wonderful mass of historical detail that lets you infer a great deal what's happening rather than spelling everything out for you. The performances are a great example of ensemble acting with the sisters well realized by Winona Ryder as Jo, Trini Alvarado as Meg, Claire Danes as the reclusive and sickly Beth, though I was less happy with the two actors who play Amy at various ages. Veteran character actor Mary Wickes was suitably grumpy and funny as the great aunt and the supporting male roles were well filled by Gabriel Byrne as Friederich Baer, Christian Bale as Laurie, and Eric Stoltz as John Brooke Take your daughters to see this--or just go yourself--for an entertaining and positive film that respects women and what they can accomplish even under less than ideal circumstances. For the WMNF Women's Show this is Linda Lopez McAlister on Women and Film. Linda Lopez McAlister is professor of women's studies and philosophy at University of South Florida, Tampa. Copyright 1995. All rights reserved. Please do not print or reproduce this review without the permission of the author.