Based on the book by Lisa Genova, and adapted by writer/directors Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland, a potentially rich backdrop is established for this story to play against. Alice’s children are all building careers — Tom (Hunter Parrish) went to med school, Anna (Kate Bosworth) to law school, while Lydia (Kristen Stewart) is on the west coast following her passion for acting — while her husband John (Alec Baldwin) has an opportunity at the Mayo Clinic that would be a major step. But Alice’s condition puts a question mark on any long-term planning. And unfortunately, the script never lets these threads and conflicts extend or unfold beyond the most cursory approach.
When John wants to move to Minnesota with Alice for his potential new job, separating her from her children (including Anna, pregnant with twins) and the home and neighborhood she still knows, even as her memory fades, she’s upset. But this conversation and sequence about the transition lasts one scene. The tension, anxiety and fear by Alice’s children who may have inherited a frightening medical legacy is concluded in one cell phone call. Moore gets exactly one scene in which she breaks down in tears, with the filmmakers more interested in depicting her deteriorating state. Indeed, it’s a little curious that such a well-regarded teacher and lecturer (who has talked all over the world) has no friends or colleagues stopping by or checking in or her. Or conversely, that she doesn’t reach out to anyone beyond those in her immediate family. Is it out of fear or shame? The movie has other concerns on its hands — namely it aspires to be instructive first, dramatic second.
It’s not a surprise to learn that Genova herself is a neuroscientist, as "Still Alice" often feels quite clinical. It’s a bit of a lazy contrivance that both John and Alice are doctors (she teaches linguistics, changed from psychology in the book), and this leads to more than a couple of discussions in the film about symptoms, the details of early onset Alzheimer’s, the diagnosis and more that often feels unnatural or designed as a knowledge dump. And there is a slight remove from the challenges Alice faces, as while the disease is no less devastating because of it, her very healthy financial situation is a far cry from many who suffer from the disease. With the ability to pay for medication, get the best care possible, live in her own home, and have children around her who are also well off (well, except for vagabond Lydia) and can help as well, this story is not a reality for the average person. That strain of caring for someone when finances and resources are hard to come by is an additional difficulty with its own set of problems, and the film’s desire to be relatable is undercut by the distance the characters are from how most people live.
But it’s difficult to be hard on a movie that means so well and is executed with honorable, if completely bland, precision. Moore gets the showcase part, and does her usually strong work with it, but the rest of the supporting cast isn’t given much to work with. There is a missed opportunity in exploring John’s feelings more, seeing the love of his life become unrecognizable to him and herself, their entire lives together erased from the mind of his wife. Meanwhile, the daughters and son come in when necessary, though Lydia does become more involved as Alzheimer’s progresses in her mother. But it’s not quite enough, as decent as Stewart is in the part.
Competently directed, and delivered with the expected emotional beats, "Still Alice" achieves its modest goals, but one wishes it had a grander vision. Certainly, Alzheimer’s is devastating, but it’s also messy, complex, and confusing for everyone touched by it, and it’s that kind of grit this film needs. She may still be Alice, but the life she knew, and that her family knew, is ruptured irrevocably. And that sensation never quite gets transmitted in the film. At one point, Alice delivers a speech about living with the disease, reading it from a printout, and highlighting each line so she doesn’t get confused or lost along the way. In the midst of her talk, she accidentally drops the pages from the podium and they scatter on the floor, leading to a moment when it looks like her careful planning may not have worked out. But she gathers them back up, gets composed, and continues where she left off. The better movie would’ve left those pages on the floor and seen what happens next. [C]
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Ive just seen it today. Had almost the exact reaction as this reviewer. It did touch all the instructional points of the disease, but almost as if on cue – disjointed, as if from a list. A sympathetic topic, a moving performance by the lead, but seemed to to be a documentary.
Wow. Lack of collegues, really? never believed that this movie was a fairy tale. Should they? Could they? Would you? Not questions to ask about the film.
I have just seen the movie. I agree totally with the reviewer the movie was weak and JM is the only decent thing in it. The relationships are facile. The ending ridiculous. Not worth any oscar\’s at all.
Amazing book from a great angle. Believe you missed the mark on your critique of this movie. A must watch on my list.
Kevin, I hope you never have anyone in your family who is diagnosed with this horrible disease. You wake up every day hoping it\’s all just a bad dream when the person you love so much doesn\’t know you or remember all the things that make your lives together special. Im sad you had to dig deep to find fault with the movie…"bland, precision"…she didn\’t seem confused after dropping her speech and it "never lands with greater impact than a well-meaning informational pamphlet"?! I mean really, Kevin, we apparently didn\’t see the same movie. I\’m really grateful the success of this movie doesn\’t depend on your review because you missed the whole point of the film.
Kristen\’s Stewart\’s fans are the most immature, disgusting, racist and ugly fans in the world. These comments prove it. Juianne Moore is the star of this film, and the only one who will get any Oscar nominations. Stewart now has two scandals attached to her name, the cheating with Rupert Sanders and the racists fans polluting twitter with their hateful comments. They do nothing to help rehab her tarnished image.
Agree with Libertad, DID YOU READ THE BOOK? It is from Alice\’s point of view, and it\’s not supposed to be about someone "average." The book was so powerful; I am glad they are not veering from the plot. I guess if it were left up to reviewers, it would be completely different. Thank God the director stays true to Genova\’s words. Can\’t wait to see it. Your criticism\’s of the movie are actually reassuring to me. Seriously, try reading the book.
Julianne Moore for best actress in 'Still Alice' & Kristen Stewart for best supporting actress in 'Clouds Of Sils Maria'….that's my choice for 2015 oscar….
These "fans" just think everyone is as crazy as they are. This is their normal.
That's right Robsessed!! GET OFF OUR BOARD!!! KRISTEN IS BETEER AND MOREV SUCCESSFUL THAN YOUR STUPID RPUTZ. HE DOWNGRADED! LRISTEN IS BETTER THAN THAT FKA GIRL. SHE IS GETTING A OSCAR. TWO NOMONATIONS!!! TWO GOOD FILMS!
JONH IS ROBSESSED
STOP BRINGING UP THE PAST. HE WASN'T A GOOD BOYFRIEND TO HER
I see Robsessed are pissed off because Kristen may get Oscar nomination this year. All RPtuz has are box office bomb and weird-looking gf. No wonder his fans come here and rant. lol
That cheating scandal sure made those Twihards lose their minds. What little sanity they had left went out the window of a certain Mini Cooper.
There I said it. Come at me.
This is a freaking movie site take your stupid fan wars somewhere else! Go back to your little fan sites and when you gain some maturity come back and act like adults.
Hopefully Julianne gets a nomination. She's long overdue. I see Kristen Stewart might be playing herself beautifully once again. The range on that one
Julianne Moore deserves recognition for a wonderful, impactful performance. Definitely awards worthy. She saves the film from disease of the week status.
And PLEASE Playlist, institute some sort of board moderation to rid the site of these pathetic so-called fans waging this stupid tit for tat war on what is supposed to be a legitimate film site. As for the 'fans' posting, you are ALL pretty pathetic regardless of who you believe you are speaking for or defending. For those are attempting to project a sense of superiority, you are failing miserably. Trash is trash and neither side is winning this War of the Roses. Imbeciles all.
Poor robtards. Kristen has been getting amazing reviews. while footface Pattinson is proving how much he truly sucks. His movies are flops and his fans ste psycho.
This is outrageous! Ever since I birthed Rob and and washed him with golden showers, I have forever coddled him because of his delicate soul. How dare anyone suggest that he is a lesser actor because his movies flop and his acting cred is limited to thrusting enthusiastically…it takes true art to give orgasm face. Julianne should be HONORED. As for this movie…..psssh Alzheimers…gimme a break…EYEROLL!
OMG, how can any of this even be associated with megastar future Oscar winner Rob Pattinson, I mean so what that Julianne didn't acknowledge his limo skills, he's clearly the better actor even though he's been like an non existent mole on a ass at all festivals. Weird that Kristen fans twitter accounts names are here and weirder that they are supporting my Rob. Finally the stars have aligned and all things Rob's crotch will be given the supahstar status it deserves. I will be pissedoff if that camel gets more cred in QOTD then my lovemonkey Rob.
Robert's fans are so angry that Kristen wasn't even at TIFF and she's getting more notice than him. Too bad Robsessed! Stop stalking Kristen and her fans. It just makes you guys look like the loons you are.
Robert Pattinson's movies are better than this. He rules. Stop kissing Kristen's backside. His fans are awesome and give up their children's college funds to fly to his movie sets. We may not be willing to spend money on movie tickets, but we know how to support. All these critics are just kissing Kristen's backside. I'm so jealous, I just can't stand it! I'm tired of her overshadowing him!!
Neither the critic nor the audience should be required to read a book before they see a movie, so people whining about that need to move on. As for the Kristen Stewart fans throwing hissy fits over the fact that she's not going to get an Oscar nomination this year, well, they need to grow up (which is odd, because many of them are well over 50 already).
Her fans were bugging Larry Richman on Twitter (@Larry411), about her getting an Oscar for Still Alice, because he saw it at TIFF. He finally told them she had no chance of an Oscar because her part was TOO SMALL.
What he meant was that she made no impression, she was just there. Actresses have won Oscars for performances that only lasted 12 minutes. Size of part is not what counts, it's how big of an impression they make. Julianne Moore blew her off the screen. That's the truth.
Her fans need to stop harassing IFC on twitter, and stop pointing fingers at others. They're always trying to place the blame on someone else, nothing is ever her responsibility. You aren't doing her any favors.
I can't wait to see this movie…
Juliana is always pitch perfect.
Alec can be hilarious and scary when serious.
Kristen is a natural.
a great team and a formidable subject matter,
you wanted more of the husband's feelings?
I haven't seen the movie but read the book and it looks like u missed the whole point. A movie from the female protagonist's POV and u want more of the husband? ugh.
The actors that has been chosen to portray this incredible vicious and heartbreaking story that deals with the reality of this vicious disease are very brave to tackle something so sad in life, this story is not for the weak, and I admire each and every actor and crew member connected to this movie, and thank all the people who were prepared to show the world just how cruel and without mercy this disease is and how it impact on every members of such a family in a very sad and violent way, and you ask yourself how many times during the duration of such a illness do you have to say "Goodbye" to your beloved and how degrading, sad and frustrating it must be for the victim itself!
no offence but I don't think Kevin here appreciated the point of this story. Please read the book, you probably would revisit your critique after that.
Poor Robert Pattionson fans obsesse Kristen's movie
Make me laugh because Robert Pattinson fans envy Kristen.
This is about movie, people come here to read review, i don't care about her personal life.
Your review raises an interesting question – should a reviewer be required to read the book a movie is adapted from? I finished reading the book two weeks ago and, whilst I haven't seen the film yet, I can tell you haven't read the book! I understand that reviewers have so many films to watch and can not be expected to read all adaptions; however, you should be cautious to criticize filmmakers for choices the novelist made. To me, it sounds like the filmmakers have created a loyal depiction of the novel. It is a terrific book and a moving insight into the world of a person suffering from Alzheimer's disease and I can't wait to see the film.
Ladies, it's an ok maybe, but not great. Please relax. It is Julianne's movie anyhow.
Are Shit RPattz Fans still pressed here? Buhahahahahahaha LOSERS!!!!!!
She was just never that good and that's the truth.
Yeah, it was disappointing. I saw it too and I like Kristen. Oh well, it's not really her movie.
Still Allice is a good movie!
And Rpatzz z fans still buthurt…bwahahahahahaha bec their idol best scenes only IN LIMOSEX DRIVER hahahahahahaha
Playlist tweeted a Kristen Stewart troll (poopscoopstew) that she was finished in the industry on 2/16/13; 3/7/13, 3/12/13, & 5/10/13 (see the screen shot via @kkkkbug)
Never believe anything this site has to say about 1 of her films. They hate her and are 100% biased against her work.
All critics at TIFF think Julianne and all the cast are great, the same for the movie. Are you sure, Did you see the same movie?
Well, the movie is about Alice and is from her POV – thus people will be coming in and out of her life and not their story.
This movie was fantastic. Clearly, we weren't watching the aame movie, Kevin.
So, Kristen Stewart's character wants to be an actress??? Those directors are genius.
I saw it yesterday, amazing movie, amazing performance by Moore and the supporting cast was quite strong as well, it also got a standing ovation. No disrespect to Kevin, but this is gonna be probably one of the very few negative reviews this movie is going to get, maybe the only one even. I could easily see this movie becoming a strong contender at the oscars.
The purpose of this story was to give an insular view of Alice specifically, really get inside her mind, as opposed to the pain and difficulties of those around her, which is what other movies/books about Alzheimer's often portray.
Did you read the book? We are supposed to get the patient point of view, not the loved one's. That's what made this novel stand out, that window it gives to the inside of a patient's head. I look forward to seeing the movie knowing they didn't depart from the book adding other point of views.