Alice
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Movie Reviews of Alice
Movie Review: A cute tale of self discovery that benefits from Woody's unique vision...
Summary: 4 Stars
The story or premise of `Alice' is quite simple, but Woody Allen's construction of the film and exploitation of the plot is far from it. Yes, `Alice' tells the story of a spoiled socialite who realizes that her life is far from a happy one despite all the so-called perks she receives and so she goes on a journey of self discovery that eventually ends in her happiness. Like I said, we've seen this before, but we have never seen it displayed in this manner.
Mia Farrow stars as Alice, and she pretty much reprises her role in Allen's superior `The Purple Rose of Cairo', playing her character somewhat mousy and underappreciated. The difference of course lies in her characters social status (Alice is wealthy, Cecilia was not) but Farrow's approach to character is very much the same. So Alice is married to Doug, a successful business man who doesn't seem to have too much time for Alice. When a back pain sends her to Dr. Yang, an acupuncturist who doesn't really do any puncturing, Alice gets the right dose of medicine to help her see that her pains are more mental than physical. Her life is not what she intended and it is up to her to change things. Throughout the course of her self discovery she finds herself in the arms of another man and spying on her husband's extramarital affairs with the aid of some herbs that make her invisible.
Yes, `Alice' goes there.
The film is outlined like your typical Allen film. People converse as if they were not on camera and banter back and forth about seemingly uninteresting topics that in the end prove to be all the more interesting to us because they are not what we expect to hear. Much like `The Purple Rose of Cairo' though, this film is tailored more towards the acceptance of the general public.
In other words; you don't have to be a fan of Woody Allen to enjoy this film.
Like I mentioned, Farrow pretty much reprises her previous role here, but her character is endearing and likable with all her ignorant quirks. William Hurt is effective as her unfaithful husband and Keye Luke is funny as her overly wise doctor. Joe Mantegna is the big standout for me. His portrayal of Joe, the married man for whom Alice falls, is spot on perfect. We can see why she is attracted to him. He is handsome and he is sensitive and he is sweet, but he is unfailingly a man and his faults shine through to create a likable and relatable character. Judy Davis, Blythe Danner and even Alec Baldwin all contribute fine performances as well, but they are not given anything memorable to really work with.
In the end `Alice' is a nice break from the norm in regard to its unique blend of storytelling. It is not Allen's best; it's not even really close, but it is undoubtedly Allen and it benefits from his visionary style of directing.
Movie Review: Whimsy and Fantasy
Summary: 4 Stars
While I gave this film a 4 star rating, I have to say that it is one of the films I watch repeatedly. In "Alice," Woody Allen has taken his cue from Fellini's "Juliet of the Spirits" and assembled a better story and superior film. The story of a disenchanted housewife finding her real desires and discovering the truth about her pampered but sterile existence is unfolded with such joy and air-light humor that I couldn't help but be charmed. The concept of self discovery after years of self delusion was explored in more somber ways in Allen's "Another Woman." Here, the use of magic potions are administered ostensibly to relieve Alice's psychosomatic discomforts. The cures actually allow the character vehicles for seeing her life from new perspectives.
Alice's descent into Wonderland is a great escape, very entertaining. Her character is an upper crust variation on ones she's done in other Allen films, but Farrow shows her range when, in the script's moment of intoxication, she moves in a split second from mousy uncertainty to voluptuous seductress. The humor is mostly character-driven and this mousse of a confection is a great way to remove oneself from the stresses of a long week.
Movie Review: Becoming the proverbial fly on the wall
Summary: 4 Stars
Mia Farrow plays a repressed Catholic rich girl who as a child had ideals of helping the poor, becoming a nun, etc., but ends up marrying the very wealthy William Hurt. Out go the ideals and in come the closets full of clothes and pedicures. She thinks she's happy until she meets Joe (Joe Mantegna), a saxophone player, and begins an affair with him. All the while she keeps going to a Chinese doctor who gives her herbs - love potions, something to make her invisible, etc. While invisible, she discovers that Joe is still in love with his ex-wife and Hurt is having affairs himself. (As in DR.JEKYLL & MR. HYDE, the fact that a drug is used as a key element for her transformations weakens the reality and dilutes the impact of the truths discovered.) In one especially funny scene, a love potion that will make anyone who takes it feel in love with her is accidentally mixed in the egg nog at a party, and every man suddenly becomes interested in her. In a rather hokey ending for Woody Allen, Farrow decides to follow her earlier ideals and is seen helping the poor in NYC. The movie is very funny in spots, but not so good in others. The use of the song LIMEHOUSE BLUES is put to very good effect throughout the movie.
Movie Review: "I've done things I didn't know I had in me. "
Summary: 4 Stars
Less known that Allen's "Annie Hall", "Hannah and her Sisters", "Crimes and Misdemeanors", and "Manhattan", "Alice" is a charming and delightful film that can be viewed as Allen's remake of "Juliet of Spirits" with some obvious themes from "Alice in Wonderland". Mia Farrow plays a wealthy New Yorker who one day feels that something is missing in her sheltered and comfortable life. She turns to a Chinese doctor whose magic herbs help her to reevaluate her life and her relationships with her husband, lover, mother, and sister. She may not find the answers for all the questions but she certainly learned a lot about herself. During the few days that film takes place, Alice experiences romance, finds spirituality, and even enjoys the power of invisibility. This film has one of the most optimistic endings in Woody's film. Mia Farrow is absolutely wonderful.
Movie Review: a little known gem
Summary: 4 Stars
Well written, well acted, and well directed, this is much better than 99% of all films on TV or in the theatres. the only reason it is unknown is its adult content - marijuana smoking and romantic affairs, lending amusing background to a woman's haphazard but fortunate search for control of her life. This is that rare bird, an intelligent film, for adults. My favorite line: Joe Mantegna's remark to Mia Farrow: "You're really interesting", after she relates an intimate comment she heard him make to his ex wife while she was invisible. It is not a 5 star film, like say "Witness", but it is an excellent small film. This is for film fans who prefer romance to violence.