Little Women (1994)Movie Reviews

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Avg. Critic Score: 87 out of 100 Universal acclaim Metascore® based on all critic reviews
Information for Parents:
11 OK for kids 11+
Read Common Sense Media review

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 100
    Boston Globe | Jay Carr

    [The novel's] themes have never not been fresh and they gleam here under the sympathetic and enlivening touch of Armstrong and her cast, who move through the events with sunny assurance and complete immersion in character. [21 Dec 1994] Read full review

  • 100
    USA Today | Susan Wloszczyna

    Director Gillian Armstrong takes the delicate snow globe that is Little Women and gives it a bold new shake. [21 Dec 1994] Read full review

  • 100
    Entertainment Weekly | Lisa Schwarzbaum

    A graceful, unsentimental, well-made movie. Read full review

  • 90
    Variety | Todd McCarthy

    This handsomely produced period piece is easily the most emotionally effective bigscreen melodrama since "The Joy Luck Club," as well as the most intelligent. Read full review

  • 90
    The New York Times | Janet Maslin

    Ms. Armstrong instantly demonstrates that she has caught the essence of this book's sweetness and cast her film uncannily well, finding sparkling young actresses who are exactly right for their famous roles. Read full review

  • 90
    Los Angeles Times | Kevin Thomas

    Armstrong, screenplay adapter/co-producer Robin Swicord and their colleagues have got everything just right. [23 Dec 1994] Read full review

  • 88
    Chicago Sun-Times | Roger Ebert

    Director Gillian Armstrong finds the serious themes and refuses to simplify the story into a "family" formula. " Read full review

  • 80
    Washington Post | Rita Kempley

    Armstrong applies a dusting of contemporary feminism, but the stubborn sentimentalism of Alcott's endearing family portrait endures. [21 Dec 1994] Read full review

  • 75
    San Francisco Chronicle | Edward Guthmann

    Meticulously crafted, and warmly acted by a cast that includes Winona Ryder as Jo and Susan Sarandon as her mother, the devoted Marmee, Little Women is one of the rare Hollywood studio films that invites your attention, slowly and elegantly, rather than propelling your interest with effects and easy manipulation. Read full review

  • 70
    Wall Street Journal |

    Ms. Armstrong's Little Women, which has enough sugar to make your teeth sing, if not your heart. [29 Dec 1994] Read full review

View more reviews for Little Women (1994) on Metacritic

Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says OK for kids 11+ Lovely Alcott adaptation tugs at the heartstrings.
What Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that in this adaptation of the book by Louisa May Alcott, beloved sister Beth becomes dangerously ill, recovers, but eventually dies young in a very sad sequence. The youngest sister, Amy, falls through the ice while skating but is pulled to safety. Kids will learn a bit about the time period during and just after the Civil War and will get to know an amazing group of role models in the March family. They are supportive of one another and wonderful members of the community, even giving away their Christmas dinner to those less fortunate.
  • Families can talk about how the movie compares to Louisa May Alcott's novel. Which do you like better? Why?
  • When Jo says she is "hopelessly flawed" do you agree? What were the traits valued in girls back then and how have things changed?
The good stuff
  • message true5 Positive messages: Great messages all around about overcoming obstacles, the importance of charity, forgiveness, writing from your heart, embracing your gifts and differences, and celebrating the family bond, especially the bond among sisters.
  • rolemodels true5 Positive role models: The mother here is a rock to her daughters, accepting their differences and helping each girl become the best person they can be. She says that she "wishes she could give her girls a more just world" and pushes them to question authority when it's wrong (like when a teacher strikes Amy) or embrace their gifts (encouraging Jo to go to New York and find herself). The girls are all very kind-hearted and conscientious, giving their Christmas dinner away to those who are starving. Jo calls herself "hopelessly flawed," but her passion for writing and bringing out the inner strength in all her sisters carries the story.
What to watch for
  • violence false2 Violence: Beth becomes dangerously ill with scarlet fever, recovers, but eventually dies. Amy falls through the ice while skating but is pulled to safety. Amy comes home with a welt on her hand telling her family that she was struck by her teacher. Mr. March comes home from the war injured and the family fears for his safety constantly.
  • sex false1 Sex: A few kisses and mentions of romantic overtures.
  • language false0 Language: Not an issue
  • consumerism false0 Consumerism: Not an issue
  • drugsalcoholtobacco false1 Drinking, drugs and smoking: Some drinking at parties. Jo says she only takes alcohol medicinally. Laurie drinks from a hip flask in one scene.
An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology. © Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

Little Women (1994) Movie Ratings + Reviews

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