The Inheritance

I had read the book "The Inheritance" by Louisa May Alcott a few months before the movie came out. I was absolutely in love with the book and was pleased hear about the movie. I counted down the days and finally got a chance to watch it. Its a wonderful adaptation of the book. Louisa M. Alcott wrote this story when she was only 17 years old and never attempted to publish it. I'm so happy that it was found and that the movie was made...... Cari Shayne is amazing as Edith Adelon and Thomas Gibson is the perfect person to play Lord James Percy. If you like period films, like I do, you will love this movie. And if your favorite book is Little Women then you must read and watch the Inheritance (book/movie)......

I saw this first in 1997 on the Kraft something-something (CBS). The very first part looked so refreshing that I threw in a tape and have absolutely been gone on it ever since. I had read about the newly discovered manuscript and book publication at an earlier time. I bought several copies of the book and gave them out as gifts to friends and relatives. Everyone who has watched it with me has loved it. My brother, in from Knoxville once, and after watching the usual popular movies at that time, was, up to that point fairly unimpressed. I decided to put it in. He watched and even though he had not even commented on any of the others, he looked at me after the end credits then lights on, and said, "That was a good one." You have to know my understated Economics Professor-of-a brother to know how funny that comment was and how it pleased me. The filmed presentation and its screenplay are more flowing, integrated and related to a self-contained start-to-finish story than is the actual book. The scene where Edith is with her ailing uncle, her innocence, her lack of guile or ability to deceive, contrive or lie, is unbelievably attractive in character and essence. Edith is so transparently good and kind and always helping others without taking credit this story is about the rewards of that goodness and that sweetness. There are hints from the beginning that are noticed after the fact, about where the relationships lie and why certain people do what they do and act the way they do. How could the entire story be so simple and yet enchanting enough to cause me to think of it all the time. When Edith first meets Percy by the horse, spilling her apples and yet touching his scratched face with her handkerchief I loved the way the directors let us know the magic was on. When Percy comes in the house for the first time and meets her Edith cannot hide her bright-eyed, innocent crush and that she has met him already. Her facial expressions are uniquely well done as she hides behind the curtain. You can see that she is jealous already, even though she knows he is not there for her nor could there be a crossing of social barriers, yet he was hers, she thought. How many movies are there where one kiss, just one kiss is so dramatic? With all the thrills, spills and chills in modern movies, needed to even keep an audience awake, is this not a gem for those of us who are just plain in love with love?

My roommates and I watched this movie after a long, stressful day, and we laughed and cried. Henry Hamilton steals the show with tasteful humor and well-timed wit. As a Louisa May Alcott story, yes, it's a chick flick and sappy, but even men will love Henry's humor, in addition to a fast-paced horse race and several heated arguments. The music is descriptive; when you first meet "the bad guy," the music takes a foreboding turn. Some lines are cheesy, and Ida will drive you crazy, but all in all, it's a fun, romantic, and enjoyable film the whole family can enjoy, free of nudity and violence and almost entirely void of offensive language. Watch it! (And if you like Henry Hamilton, you'll love the 1985 movie "Saving Grace," in which he stars as the Pope.)

I enjoyed this presentation of Louisa May Alcott's "The Inheritance". The story is broad and interesting, with great propulsion and a particularly satisfying ending. The characters initially appear to be broad as well, but the additions of class and gender consciousness flesh things out in such a way as one might expect from authors such as Jane Austin or Charlotte Bronte.

The story is beautifully photographed with excellent ensemble acting performed by numerous old pros, such as Tom Conti, Meredith Baxter, Max Gail, and others. Look fast for an amusing cameo by Paul Bartel as a doctor - it made me wish that Mary Woronov would have been cast as Ida.

I'd wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone. 7 out of 10.

Such a delightful sentimental wholesome period piece, with a really good cast. Cari Shayne does an excellent job with Louisa May Alcott's character, Edith Adelon, bringing to life the sweet, spirited, caring orphan girl taken in by the Hamilton family who grows up as a companion to their daughter Amy. Tom Conti as Henry Hamilton lends a caring fatherly figure to the movie, and Meredith Baxter as Beatrice Hamilton as always is wonderfully believable. Thomas Gibson as family friend James Percy is a gentleman to fall in love with, just as I did from watching him in the TV series "Dharma and Greg". I've seen "The Inheritance" twice now, and would watch it again and again. It's a classic in my book.