A Little Princess
Directed by Alfonso Cuarón
- drama
- family
- fantasy
The story
When her father enlists to fight for the British in WWI, young Sara Crewe goes to New York to attend the same boarding school her late mother attended. She soon clashes with the severe headmistress, Miss Minchin, who attempts to stifle Sara's creativity and sense of self-worth.
What it’s like
Warm amber interiors set against cold, grey New York winter streets, with the fantasy sequences blooming into rich, saturated colour, give this film its look: lush, storybook, and tender. The score is melodic and string-led, swelling at moments of wonder and going quiet in the chilly dormitory. The pacing is unhurried and observational, with long, gently composed shots of rooms, staircases and faces, and the mood is wistful and hopeful, with a steady undercurrent of injustice that never tips into dread. It suits a rainy Sunday, a comfort rewatch, or an evening with a blanket and nothing to prove. Intensity is low: there is no real violence or gore, and the cruelty is emotional, a stern headmistress and a cold household, softened by warmth and kindness. It is for people who want a gentle, handsome period drama about imagination, dignity and friendship, with a clear-hearted child at its centre.
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