Louisa May Alcott, who penned the semi-autobiographical book in 1868, likely did not identify as a woman, according to the president of the Louisa May Alcott Society.
In my review of “Little Women” (1994), I wrote, “The very title
summons up preconceptions of treacly do-gooders in a smarmy children s story.”
I was relieved to report that the movie itself was nothing of the sort; it was
a spirited and intelligent retelling of the Louisa May Alcott classic. Now,
alas, comes “Little Men,” which is indeed about treacly do-gooders in a smarmy
children s story.
Although younger children may enjoy the movie on a simple and
direct level, there s little depth or texture to make it interesting for
viewers over the age of, say, 10. It s all on one note. The adults are all
noble and enlightened, the boys are all basically good, and the story is all
basically a sunny, innocent fable.