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Who played Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy best? Comparing the old and new “Little Women” Movies

May 31, 2018 By Lorilee - 28 Comments

Little Women collagePart 1: Who played Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy best?

As a former entertainment writer, I relish reviewing movies and TV shows almost as much as I adore evaluating books. And when a favorite book comes to the screen, I am irresistibly drawn to reviewing it. Even better? When a dearly loved story comes to life onscreen more than once, I can compare and contrast the treatments (see my first blog on this, 12 Little Musings on the New Little Women,” and my “Who played it best?” blogs of Anne of Green Gables, Gilbert Blythe--one of my most read blogs, of course, Marilla Cuthbert and Matthew Cuthbert. By the way, news coming soon on Season 2 of Anne with an E!)

When I first heard that Heidi Thomas, the showrunner of “Call the Midwife,” was making a three-hour treatment of my beloved “Little Women,” second only to in my heart to “Anne of Green Gables, I could not wait. In the last year and a half I have both reread “Little Women” and rewatched the 1994 movie, starring Winona Ryder as Jo, so I felt well prepared for whatever Thomas had in store. I liked that this would tell the story in three hours, not two, as the 1994 movie attempted to do. Although, really a 600-plus word tome deserves a six-hour miniseries at least to wring the last juicy drops out of it.

So, Who played our Little Women best?

Little Women PBS 1

* Meg

I thought Trini Alvarado (1994) as Meg was perfectly fine until I watched Willa Fitzgerald (PBS) embody the Meg of my imagination. This Meg is warmer, sweeter, but with more substance and pluck, too. This Meg is one of the gang but in a firstborn, responsible kind of way.

Winner: PBS’s Meg

* Jo

Winona Ryder’s Jo was all warmth and passion, and she was nominated for an Academy Award for the role, after all. She plays a very good Jo March, but Maya Hawke is Jo March in every scowling, naked look of disappointment and enlightenment and love. She boasts a bristling, bubbling creative energy and irrepressible spirit that to me is unfiltered Jo. Hawke is also warm and passionate but adds a gangly awkwardness and tomboyish zest that rings true to the character. All of these qualities work for the scenes with Laurie (Jonah Hauer-King, we’ll definitely get to him next week). Now, this is debatable but as one who has always been firmly #TeamBhaer, it’s important that Jo’s chemistry with Laurie is sisterly. We know as readers that Jo is simply not ready for love, and that her soul mate awaits. Indeed, according to a fabulous article on Indiewire, director Thomas, Hawke and Hauer-King worked to lessen the romantic chemistry in their performances. Meanwhile, the Winona /Christian Bale chemistry crackles, something I don’t believe the book intended. Of course, THAT’s a slippery slope. Louisa May Alcott never really wanted Jo to fall in love with anyone but felt pressured by her publisher and readers to make it happen. I’m not gonna lie: I’m glad Jo fell in love…but not with Laurie. 

Winner: PBS’s Jo

Little-Women-Maya-Hawke-1173463

Did you guys hear that Maya Hawke will be in “Stranger Things” next season? You know, the show in which Winona Ryder stars??? WHAAAT?

* Beth

Little Women Claire DanesBeth is so important to the story. She not only brings sadness and a dark backdrop for everything else to shine brighter, but she shows how to be a selfless sister and a friend. She shows us a certain kind of person who cares more about the needs of others than she does for herself. We do have some angels among us and Beth March is one of them. Both Claire Danes in 1994 and Annes Elwys in the PBS version were deeply compelling. Gentle, sweet, and strong underneath it all–that’s our Beth.  I did love Elwys’ freckles and the palpable closeness of her Beth with Hawk’s Jo, but overall felt that both actresses played Beth with great tenderness.

Winner: A tie.

* Amy

The one big mistake made by the new PBS adaptation is that they chose to cast one Amy, not two. So when an actress (Kathryn Newton) is 21 (two years older than Maya Hawke’s Jo!) and we witness her torching her sister’s manuscript, it’s hard not to abhor her with the heat of a 1,000 suns. That scene is a lot easier to take when the actress is 12 or whatever. In 1994’s version, Kirsten Dunce was cast as young, childish Amy and then Samantha Mathis assumed the role midway through. I think that’s the way Amy should be cast–twice.

Still, Newton’s Amy did grow on me in the second and third hours. Maybe it’s because I am reading “The Other Alcott” by my Instagram buddy Elise Hooper, a rich and sumptuous novelization of May Alcott, Louisa May’s younger sister and the basis for Amy March. I understand Amy much better now. Last time I blogged about this I said Amy March was a mean girl. I still think she had her mean moments, and I’m not suggesting we forgive her completely for burning Jo’s manuscript. But I get now that Amy is really an artist, too, and loves her family dearly. She’s much more complex–in a good way–than we give her credit for.

Winner:

Little Women PBS Amy1994 child Amy AND PBS grown-up Amy!

Well, what did you think of the four (or five) actresses who portrayed our girls Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy in each production? Who got it right? Do you have strong feelings either way?

Comment below for your chance to win “The Other Alcott”!

Little Women The Other Alcott

PS: Next week: Who played Laurie, Professor Bhaer, Marmee and Aunt March best?

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Filed Under: Book Club, Contests, Uncategorized Tagged With: Heidi Thomas, Little Women, Maya Hawke, New Little Women, PBS Little Women, Winona Ryder

Comments

  1. Sarah L Peden says

    May 31, 2018 at 12:17 pm

    Oh Me Oh My… I was holding my breath for your opinion on this adaptation, and so happy to see the love continuing on for it! My sister and I (for that is the BEST way to watch Little Women – with sisters) blazed through all three hours in one sitting, and experienced happy thrill upon happy thrill at each new scene that had previously been left out of movies. And for someone who’s been to Orchard house, the finer details of the set did NOT disappoint! I haven’t read The Other Alcott yet, but May’s life has been quite intriguing to me of late, and I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy!

    Reply
    • Lorilee says

      June 1, 2018 at 11:59 am

      That is awesome! Which part of the set really impressed you as being authentic from Orchard House?

      Reply
      • Sarah Peden says

        June 4, 2018 at 6:09 am

        The floor plan seemed pretty on point, but there’s a tiny detail that just MADE it… when Beth is sick and Marmee crosses the hall to have a moment — in that bed room on the mantlepiece is a painted owl that is exactly like the one that May painted on Lousia’s fireplace for her – cause Lousia loved owls so much!

        Reply
  2. Jennifer says

    May 31, 2018 at 5:04 pm

    I just finished watching the PBS version yesterday. The 1994 version was the first movie my husband and I saw in a theater together. At the time he was my boyfriend and I knew he must really love me to sit through Little Women with me. Haha Anyway, I’m not just saying this, but your review is 100% how I would vote as well! They definitely should have cast two Amys! In addition, I think I preferred Susan Sarandon as Marmie and I loved the PBS Laurie! The professor is a tough call! The PBS one grew on me even though I didn’t care for his looks initially.

    Reply
    • Lorilee says

      June 1, 2018 at 2:20 pm

      Great thoughts, Jennifer! Your husband is a keeper! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Megan says

    June 1, 2018 at 11:40 am

    The only PBS sisters I cared for were Meg and Beth. The young Amy seemed too old for the part and Jo wasn’t convincing enough.

    Reply
    • Lorilee says

      June 2, 2018 at 1:31 pm

      I agree on the first part–Amy was too old! She was good as older Amy but they should have cast two people!

      Reply
  4. Becki says

    June 1, 2018 at 11:59 am

    After seeing the entire series – all in for this version – they got so much right – INCLUDING the charity work which in prior movies/series was treated as an afterthought but actually was vital to the March family. They also treated God properly – as evidenced by Beth’s frankness about accepting His will and still obviously loving Him and also with Jo – struggling against God’s allowing things but still obviously believing. Thumbs up to the producers for this!

    Reply
    • Lorilee says

      June 4, 2018 at 8:28 am

      I agree. Good point on the charity work!

      Reply
  5. Charlotte says

    June 1, 2018 at 1:23 pm

    I vote for all the Little Women of PBS!

    Reply
    • Lorilee says

      June 6, 2018 at 9:58 am

      Keeping it simple, eh? I like it! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Charlotte says

    June 1, 2018 at 4:33 pm

    I just rewatched the 1994 Little Women and so must vote for them, too. I especially loved them in their Pickwick Club scene…

    Reply
    • Lorilee says

      June 7, 2018 at 6:38 pm

      Well, maybe not so simple, eh? I like that, too!

      Reply
  7. Kimberly says

    June 1, 2018 at 7:53 pm

    For me, the Megs were hard to choose between. In the end, I enjoyed both of them so I would say they’re tied. As for the other three, I vote 1994 version all the way!

    Reply
    • Lorilee says

      June 8, 2018 at 1:17 pm

      Wow, a tie for Meg! It’s so subjective, isn’t it?

      Reply
  8. Laurie says

    June 2, 2018 at 9:32 am

    I like these newer characters much better! I think they’re more in line with the book. This No is so much more emotional, just like the true character.

    Reply
    • Lorilee says

      June 11, 2018 at 3:59 pm

      I agree! I think they are very much like LMA intended.

      Reply
  9. Elizabeth says

    June 2, 2018 at 5:39 pm

    I have always loved the 1994 adaptation. It’s my go to movie when I have the night to myself.

    Reply
    • Lorilee says

      June 28, 2018 at 8:06 am

      I feel the same way about Sense and Sensibility!

      Reply
  10. Julia D says

    June 2, 2018 at 9:04 pm

    I think I agree with you. I do love Claire Danes trembling chin though in the ‘94 version. I don’t know if I will ever like Amy, and I am annoyed she and Laurie married. He should have stayed away, but I understand why he fell for her.

    Reply
  11. Katie says

    June 6, 2018 at 1:54 pm

    I haven’t seen the newest adaptation yet so I am still partial to the 1994 edition, which made me fall in love with the story in the first place!

    Reply
  12. Yvette says

    June 7, 2018 at 2:46 am

    I enjoyed watching the PBS version, but still love the ’94 version better! Maybe it’s because Winona, Claire and Christian have always been some of my favorite actors.

    Reply
  13. Stephanie says

    June 8, 2018 at 7:29 pm

    I have to say I agree with all your choices! Especially Maya Hawke as Jo! I thought she was spot on! I look forward to your thoughts on the next post as well!

    Reply
  14. Mary says

    June 10, 2018 at 2:07 pm

    I agree with all your choices, especially with Kristen Dunst as young Amy. For me, she is one of the only bright spots in the 1994 movie! I know I’m in the minority, but I really don’t like that film. The liberties they took in the second half, and particularly in portraying genial, fatherly Professor Bhaer as a moody discontent and good and noble John Brooke as an insufferable fop, totally ruined it for me. Can’t wait to read your thoughts on those characters in the next post!

    Reply
  15. Karen says

    June 17, 2018 at 5:12 am

    I am really partial to the 1994 version. Kirsten Dunst did young Amy fabulously. Claire Danes is definitely my choice for Beth, hands down. I don’t know that anyone can top Claire for me. I loved the whole movie, except for Amy marrying Laurie, but that isn’t an acting problem. It is watched at least a couple times per year.

    Reply
  16. Ella says

    July 31, 2018 at 4:07 pm

    I mostly agree except for Amy. To me, Kathryn Newton was woefully miscast and not just because at the beginning Amy is 12 years old. Amy is supposed to be snobby and self-important but ultimately good-hearted. Yes, she burns Jo’s manuscript but who didn’t do something stupid and rash as a kid? Kathryn Newton however plays Amy with malice the whole time. Everything she says comes off manipulative. Other than that, the new adaptation is so good.

    Reply
  17. Abgail says

    January 7, 2020 at 4:11 pm

    So agree with you!!!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Review: I Finally Found My (Nearly) Perfect Little Women Movie says:
    December 28, 2019 at 8:28 pm

    […] not forget the 2018 PBS miniseries, starring Maya Hawke as Jo (I compared the two adaptations here). I get it—I do. There have been lovely, charming and delightful film […]

    Reply

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