Based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott, Little Women tells the story of four sisters during the Civil War. Their father (Samuel S. Hinds) is serving in the army as a minister, leaving the mother (Spring Byington) and four daughters to find ways to get by on hard times.
The girls all seem to be in their mid to late teens, the perfect age to mix in some mischief while going an extra mile now and then to help those in need. Jo (Katharine Hepburn) is headstrong, loud, adventurous and the tomboy of the family. She has a knack for writing and possibly a soft spot for Laurie (Douglass Montgomery), the boy next door. Meg (Frances Dee) is the eldest and a romantic who finds herself torn between the wonderful life she and her sisters have and the love of Brooke(John Lodge), Laurie’s tutor. Amy (Joan Bennett) is a pretty, proud, preening blond and Beth (Jean Parker) is the shy, quiet sister with a passion for piano. Together, they make sacrifices, are rewarded for their good deeds and must face both good and bad times.
One thing that really made this film enjoyable is the relationship between the sisters. In today’s films it seems that every family is classified under dysfunctional, like it isn’t cool to actually enjoy one another anymore. In Little Women, the sisters are better in numbers. They laugh, sing and play together in a perfect harmony. It isn’t so wholesome it’s sickening either, it’s just fun and can make the viewer so happy to see a family so happy.
And it’s true that no one knows you like your family. The best part about a solid family is that you have no problem just being yourself. When Jo constantly shouts, “Christopher Columbus!” that’s just her thing, and her sisters accept it, even though it’s a bit rude. Before they go out to a nice party they scold Jo and warn her not to say such vulgar things.
At a certain point in the film, I couldn’t help but smile and realize how lucky it is to enjoy one’s siblings. Though we didn’t always get along so well when we were younger, today my siblings and I are thick as thieves when we’re together. We have our weird games, certain ticks that come out when we’re together and know just how to make each other laugh until we all look like idiots. Now that we’re all living apart, we seem to be more thankful for our good relationship and savor our time together. I think that’s one lesson to be taken away from Little Women, but I hope you don’t have to watch a movie to appreciate your family.
If you’re looking for a fun, wholesome, family film, Little Women is perfect. Especially if you have four little girls running around.
“If wearing hair up means becoming a lady, I’ll wear it down until I’m 100 years old.”
The Best Picture Project 