Review: Still Alice

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This film is terrifying.

It really is. Alzheimer's is a scary disease, and it does do a good job of showing how devastating it is. 

Alice Howland (Julianne Moore) is a genius professor who after gradually forgetting things goes to a neurologist and is diagnosed with early on set Alzheimer's. She's 50 years old. This film is about how she and her family, consisting of her supportive but workaholic husband John, (Alec Baldwin) bitchy daughter Anna, (Kate Bosworth) nice daughter Lydia (Kristen Stewart) and might as well by a wall peice son, Tom (Hunter Parrish) deal with it.

I think this is an important film, it certainly raises awareness for Alzheimer's, but it can't shake the Lifetime-y feel and the fact that aside from Alice there's not much to the other characters. 

I almost hate saying this because it's taking away from the film, but now I'm even more annoyed that Rosamund Pike is going to lose the Best Actress race to Julianne Moore. Moore was heartbreaking here, there's no doubt, but this isn't even her best performance. The whole film just felt underwhelming, though I have to admit the ending was kind of perfect.

Recommended: Yes/No. It's not a good film, but not a bad one either. If your a fan of Moore, definitely see it.

Grade: C+

Memorable Quote: "I wish I had cancer." - Alice (Julianne Moore)

Comments

  1. AnonymousFebruary 18, 2015 at 7:30 AM

    This looks so painfully dull, but I'm still happy for Moore. She is one of those actresses who deserves to be an Oscar winner, so while this is apparently not her best, I'm still happy she'll finally have one. It's like when Winslet won...not her best perf, but it was commendable and she was so due.

    I'll eventually see this, but I'm not expecting much.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamFebruary 18, 2015 at 12:23 PM

      I'd be happier for Moore if this was in another year. But the fact that Rosamund Pike is going to lose out for a far better performance just sucks.

      Delete
  2. UnknownFebruary 18, 2015 at 7:48 AM

    I am desperate to see this, although maybe it won't be as good as I expected. :-/ I'll send a link to my review when I eventually get there - so many films, so little time :-)
    - Jenna

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamFebruary 18, 2015 at 12:21 PM

      Yes, please do. For all the praise Moore is getting, I just thought it would better.

      Delete
  3. s.February 18, 2015 at 2:18 PM

    I agree this is definitely not Moore's best work. Hell, Stewart was better here. It's just appalling she will beat Pike

    ReplyDelete
  4. thevoid99February 18, 2015 at 8:28 PM

    If it's on TV, I'll see it. I just think Moore's work in Maps to the Stars should've been nominated as I thought she was great in that film. The only reason she'll win is really more to celebrate her body of work though Rosamund and Marion deserve the Oscar more. I think it's among the reasons why I probably won't watch it this Sunday. I'm just too jaded at this point.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamFebruary 19, 2015 at 6:53 AM

      I'll still watch and drunkenly live tweet. (I can't imagine ever skipping Oscar night) I do want to see Maps to the Stars, that looks far more interesting.

      Delete
  5. msmariahFebruary 18, 2015 at 9:19 PM

    Great review Brittani! I haven't seen this film yet, but early onset of alzheimer's does sound terrifying. Sometimes I wonder if there's something wrong with my memory. I'm hoping it's b/c I'm the mother of an energetic young toddler. It's actually quite scary that I don't retain things the way I used to. Anyhoo, it's hard for me to imagine anyone better than Pike this year. I'm kinda disappointed that Moore is going to win b/c it's "her turn"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamFebruary 19, 2015 at 6:51 AM

      Oh I feel you there. It's probably the toddler. I think having children makes us spacey or something. lol

      Yes this "her turn" crap kind of annoys me. How can anyone look at these performances, and only these performances side by side and not declare Pike the winner?

      Delete
  6. Candice FrederickFebruary 18, 2015 at 9:44 PM

    I'm so glad you wrote this. I haven't seen the film yet, but the commercials aren't even as great as some of the trailers for her other films. so...yeah.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamFebruary 19, 2015 at 6:40 AM

      Thanks. Yes, it's totally underwhelming. I cry in a lot of sad movies, but I didn't do it here. It was just too meh.

      Delete
  7. NikaFebruary 19, 2015 at 12:42 AM

    I watched this one at home, tried to feel cozy and fell asleep. Then my sister woke me up and told me I need to start watching better films. So, I'm never going back to it, ever.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamFebruary 19, 2015 at 6:40 AM

      lol, yeah being all cozy probably isn't the best way to watch this movie.

      Delete
  8. JoshFebruary 19, 2015 at 7:40 PM

    Yeah, this film is so underwhelming. The end could've been more powerful in a better film. Moore and Stewart gave good performances at least.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamFebruary 22, 2015 at 11:17 PM

      Definitely. I thought the end was sweet, but it didn't pack the punch I expected.

      Delete
  9. Angela's Anxious LifeFebruary 21, 2015 at 7:17 PM

    I've avoided this book because I know it will be sad. Same reason I am avoided the movie. That quote about cancer is powerful. Though someone with cancer would say I wish I had Alzheimer. Each battle is hard for each of us.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamFebruary 22, 2015 at 11:17 PM

      Oh for sure, but it was a very powerful quote and one that I thought about a lot after the film, even though the film as a whole didn't work for me.

      Delete
  10. Great data for Seattle Water Main Break CompanyJune 7, 2016 at 12:11 AM

    The drama offers little new to the "disease drama" genre but the whole film is lifted thanks to Moore.

    ReplyDelete

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