THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, May 26, 1995 TAG: 9505260046
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E9 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MAL VINCENT, MOVIE CRITIC
LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
``A LITTLE PRINCESS'' is a perfect example of what a so-called ``family'' entertainment should be. The term is often employed to suggest ``kiddie'' movies - ignoring the fact that children are only part of a family.
But this bright and uplifting adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett's darker novel is dramatic fare that ultimately shows us the unbridled courage and pure naivete of the young while never insulting our intelligence. It is fine fare for adults to see with children.
In contrast to ``Gordy'' and the horde of gooey animal flicks coming our way this summer, ``A Little Princess'' deals with a more serious side of childhood. It is the most literate children's movie since the most recent version of ``Black Beauty'' or the equally dramatic last adaptation of author Burnett's ``The Secret Garden.''
Will children buy a serious drama that doesn't throw animated figures, animals or hummable tunes at them in a loud, raucous way? Hmmmm. We'd rather not answer the question.
Our heroine is Sara Crewe, the child of a rich widower in India. He reminds her that all girls are ``little princesses'' in their own way. Her memory of this gets her through some rough times ahead.
When he goes off to serve in World War I, she is sent to a fashionable girls' school in New York. The place is led by the harridan Miss Minchin, who, as played by the striking Eleanor Bron, resembles Cruella De Vil. Sara is originally treated well. But when it is learned that her father is missing in action, and his funds cut off, she is relegated to the position of a servant, living in the attic with Becky, a serving girl with whom she had earlier become friends. The outcasts survive, mostly on the strength of imagination.
The movie, of course, plays upon the most basic fear of children: being abandoned by their parents.
Sara is played by Liesel Matthews in a perky but never-quite-precious manner. As directed by Alfonso Cuaron, she is overly Americanized with much of the class-consciousness present in the book removed.
Bron, who is a close cousin to Miss Hannigan in ``Annie,'' is delightfully evil, yet never quite over the top.
``The Little Princess'' was a vehicle for Shirley Temple in 1939 when the war pictured was the Boer War and the era was Victorian. Mistreating little Shirley was a major crime at the time but that movie lacked the levity this one has.
This is not a movie at which you should merely drop off the children. They need an adult to remind them that not all movies, and not all life, is chitty-chitty-bang-bang time. Besides, the adults will enjoy it as much, maybe more. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
WARNER BROS. PHOTO
Liesel Matthews as Sara Crewe and Liam Cunningham as her father in
``A Little Princess.''
Graphic
MOVIE REVIEW
``A Little Princess''
Cast: Liesel Matthews, Eleanor Bron, Liam Cunningham
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Screenplay: Richard La Gravanese, Elizabeth Chandler, based on
novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett
MPAA rating: G
Mal's rating: Three stars
Locations: Chesapeake Square in Chesapeake; Janaf and Main Gate
in Norfolk; Kemps River, Lynnhaven 8, Pembroke, Surf-N-Sand in
Virginia Beach
by CNB