Feministically enlightened treatment of the Louisa May Alcott chestnut -- reason enough to remake it, though it's still a little insipid and nicey-nice. (Ultra-conservatives, however, can take away a rationale against charity for the poor: you might catch something deadly at their door. ) Trini Alvarado's Meg and Kirstin Dunst's Amy -- before she relinquishes the role to Samantha Mathis after a four-year jump -- seem to fit in most comfortably in the Victorian setting. With Winona Ryder, Claire Danes, Christian Bale, Gabriel Byrne, Susan Sarandon; directed by Gillian Armstrong. (1994) — Duncan Shepherd
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