Louisa May Alcott's American classic about four Massachusetts sisters in the post-Civil War era focuses on Jo March, who is determined to be a writer – but this ambition puts her at odds with the conventions of that time period. The film also stars Susan Sarandon, who plays the girls' wise, loving mother with the March sisters played by Kirsten Dunst, Claire Danes, Samantha Mathis and Trini Alvarado.