LITTLE WOMEN

CAPSULE REVIEW –– Ryder leads a stellar female cast in one of the better adaptations of Louisa May Alcott's classic tale about the enduring bonds of sisterhood. The ultimate chick-flick follows the lives of the March girls – Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy – as they transition into adulthood during the hardships of life following the Civil War. Ryder plays Jo, the tomboy with big dreams. It's her passion for life that keeps the sisters upbeat and happy. She's determined to succeed as a writer, despite the restrictions of her gender. The girls innate charm soon has the opposite sex knocking on their door, pulling the sisters in different directions as they follow the yearnings of their hearts. Meg find happiness in marriage and motherhood, but Jo refuses to give in to the safe choice. It's her determination to live life on her own terms that is the heart of the story. An old-fashioned message about being true to oneself that resonates with honest emotion due to Ryder's spirited performance. How she could resist the charm of Bale is beyond me. Of course, in the end she lands Byrne, which is just as good. Danes gives the other outstanding performance as the ailing Beth, a part that could have been overplayed, but that she handles deftly. A straight-forward tale full of hope, love, sorrow and the surprises life throws our way.