Crappy film

Admirable film.

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

Review of A Little PrincessThis movie is one of the most enchanting movies I have ever seen because of the main character's imagination and stories that make you feel like you are standing beside her as she tells them. Sarah, the little princess, has a beautiful character, that is illuminated by her journey from privilege, through tragedy and back. Throughout these exciting events, she remains confident and kind to everyone. She enchants everyone even those who are determined not to like her. The movie has twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat and keep you rooting for the main character and the magical events that change her life. This movie is a great watch for family's as it offers something for adults and children alike and will offer a great discussion about kindness humanity and love

I found this almost unbearably trite and cliché, unfortunately. I do wish that I could see it from the mindset of a child - and therefore not see the simple dichotomy of the imagination being a haven for wondrous and idyllic visions and the real adult world being basically hell. The story begins from a rather prissy, closed-off corner of the World War - a single father and his daughter being so unimaginably wealthy that he can ship her off to a boarding school to be treated like royalty. This doesn't really have any natural effect other than to exaggerate the change of comfort when Sara's checks stop coming in (though I suppose the other way around, kindness even in poverty would be just as sentimental). I will not criticise the fantasy scenes to great lengths. They are of course lacking because of technological limitations, and I am hard pressed to find where exactly the rest of the millions in the budget went towards. Childlike imagination has always been captured on film in absurd, illogical and flashy ways. The clean, dominant colour schemes are a trademark - see here the bright blue skin of Prince Rama. But there isn't much else that drives these daydreams. They aren't enough of a consistent presence to be afforded its own atmosphere or emotion, and are illogical on the wrong level - like scattered bits of a storybook filmed and tossed in. When this works and is driven by the narrative itself, they can certainly be interesting. See The Fall or Heavenly Creatures and how the fantasies actually take on a life of their own, morphed by the very malleable minds of children and their imaginations. Like a children's book, the narrative is simply and stereotypically drawn, with clear dividing lines. Sara is the angel that never puts a wrong foot forward. Her mortal enemy and opposition is the very essence of evil; a soul-sucking, money-grabbing witch who seems to command the very heavens herself. No seriously - every evil act and dramatic proclamation is accompanied liberally by thunder, as if her tyrannical dialogue and expression weren't enough. Every last drop of baddie is milked from her, and there is seldom a line that isn't a contribution to this cause, leaving the rest of her character a rather empty shell (except for that hilariously hammy zoom into her single tear). The girls' little victories against her are uninspiring. Take the scene where she leaves and they hatch a plan to rescue Sara's locket. She is out the door not seconds before they jump into action, and then seconds later we are cutting from her shivering in the cold and a closeup to her forgotten gloves. But this is a children's story, of course, so even as the confrontation is telegraphed to us, we know that the girls will somehow escape unnoticed. Minchin is finally defeated in the most ludicrous way. At least a conventional Hollywood film would make the protagonists do some of the heavy lifting. Here, amnesia is the vague barrier in the narrative, and when the story finally calls for resolution, it simply vanishes so we can be shown that happy ending. How lazy and obscure.

It's one of the very few movies that I've watched as a kid, then watched again as an adult, and loved it even more. It's a 90's movie, that being enough, the richest decade in the movie industry. Little does one witness such an amazing actress at this young age (Liesel Matthews).. she got me into tears BIG TIME.. real tears.. not just some crap.. It's a minor detail, but I really liked that scene when they showed the human side of Miss Minchin (Eleanor Bron). And there's this beautiful beautiful attention to details <3.. this scene of the black balloon that exploded.. <3.. her relationship and bonding with her only friend is beautiful.. they all what they've got.. in a way that's both sadly beautiful.It's one of those movies where you're touched on real stuff.. not just caught up in the moment with cheap emotional triggers.. it's REAL.

This movie is perfect. One thing I noticed with those fun-sponges who hated this movie, is that they are all (I mean it, all of them) comparing it to the book.Forget about the book. I actually thought this movie was better, I who have read the book approximately 50 times, so this is a high compliment. Perhaps Alfonso Cuaron should have written the book, rather than Frances Hodgson Burnett.I can't remember when I first saw this film, but I suspect I was about 2 or 3 years old. As a child, I adored it. As an adult, I appreciate it even more. What you all need to remember is that there is a demographic for this kind of film. I suggest girls about 7 to 12 years old, but adults can also appreciate it, if this is their sort of thing. Also, you have to be prepared to cry.I can understand why someone wouldn't like the movie, but I what I can't understand is why they would give it a bad review. For example, I didn't like 'Black Swan', but I acknowledged it was a good movie. Alright, now my ranting is out of the way.It is beautifully filmed. Cuaron uses colour to show the juxtaposition of Sara's India with dreary and depressing New York perfectly, and the music is wonderful. Anyone who accuses Liesel Matthews of being a bad actress needs to watch the scene in the attic, just after she realises her father has died. She draws a circle around herself with chalk, mirroring the scene at the beginning where Prince Rama draws a circle around his wife to protect her. I never cry so much than when I watch this scene.Although the themes of the movie differ from the book, as I said earlier, I think these themes are better. For one, the theme of the book is that a girl is a Princess when they behave, when they are good and virtuous as Sara is. I find that a bit lectury. It's like the Santa Claus myth, trying to bribe/blackmail children into being good, but the theme of the movie, which is that all girls, even horrible ones, are Princesses is lovely. It is forgiveness before the wrong has been committed.I watch 'A Little Princess' every time I'm sick. You'd be surprised how effective it is. I suppose I cry the sickness out of me. Also, if you find the ending not too corny for your tastes, remember that this is a movie for children. Children want happy endings.