PBS honors ‘Little Women’ ingeniously

Every generation deserves a new screen adaptation of “Little Women,” Louisa May Alcott’s enduring novel about the four March sisters growing up during the Civil War.

The tender 1933 version confirmed the star power of Katharine Hepburn as budding writer Jo. The glossy 1949 version, from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, offered June Allyson as Jo, Elizabeth Taylor as Amy, Janet Leigh as Meg and Margaret O’Brien as Beth. The gorgeous 1994 film from director Gillian Armstrong presented Winona Ryder as Jo and Christian Bale as Laurie, the boy next door who loves her.

PBS’ “Masterpiece” adds to the line with a lovely, heartfelt version starting Mother’s Day. The twopart, three-hour version airs at 8 p.m. Sunday and May 20.

Ireland subs believably for New England this time around, and the

handheld camerawork supplies a contemporary feel. Writer Heidi Thomas and director Vanessa Caswill tell the timeless story with skill, affection and fresh directness.

Maya Hawke, the daughter of Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, makes a strong, likable Jo. The running time allows the other sisters to be fleshed out. Annes Elwy captures Beth’s shyness with poignancy. Willa Fitzgerald charms as Meg at her first ball. Kathryn Newton displays spunk and style as the mischievous Amy.

What’s most striking this time, though, is Jo’s friendship with Laurie (Jonah Hauer-King). He falls deeply in love with her, and the luminous Hawke makes that perfectly understandable. In scenes played with great feeling, Jo struggles to explain that she cannot reciprocate.

As the March matriarch Marmee, Emily Watson is perfectly cast. She projects wisdom and steadiness, and she plays the story’s tragedy with shattering sorrow. As the March father, who is away at war, Dylan Baker savors his chance to portray a good guy after his stunning villainy this season on “Homeland.”

Michael Gambon invests Mr. Laurence, Laurie’s grandpa, with classy kindness. Angela Lansbury is delightfully eccentric as overbearing Aunt March, who finally reveals a generous side.

“Little Women” may be a coming-of-age story, yet Aunt March proves you’re never too old to grow up. This fine, solid version honors