Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore
Alice Hyatt (played by Ellen Burstyn, who won an Oscar for her performance) is a widowed mother trying to start a singing career while raising a growing son (Alfred Lutter). In the early portions of the film, Alice works as a waitress at a diner owned by Mel (Vic Tayback); these scenes served as the springboard for the popular TV sitcom Alice.
Member Reviews
Dated But Still Relevant - newdaysof
Ellen Burstyn does an excellent job playing a single mom trying to find work and raise her 12 year-old son after her husband dies in a traffic accident.
The film was made in the early 70's when the women's liberation movement was in the early stages. Women were supposed to be wives and mothers and stay at home, so it was a struggle for single women trying to make their way in life.
The script, acting and dialogue are more realistic than the average Hollywood movie, and is at times gritty, disturbing and nasty. But it is believable and rings true to this day. There are good performances by many up and coming actors, including Kris Kristopherson, a very realistic and terrifying Harvey Keitel as the abusive boyfriend, and an extremely young and cocky Jodie Foster who looks more like a boy than a girl. Valerie Curtin has a very minor role as a waitress at the diner. I wish she had a bigger role because she is a good actress and has written several screenplays.
And of course, the film was directed by a young Martin Scorcese. He does a good job but some of the camera shots and angles are shaky and awkward. But he manages to pull of a realistic and interesting story so all is forgiven.way better than I expected - arronde8
This period piece was a pleasant surprise. Ditto to all the kudos for Ellen Burstyn -- and all the consternation about the sensitive, feminine side of speedball Martin. Kristofferson was a bit wooden, but unbelievably young versions of Harvey Keitel and punkass microbopper Jodie Foster -- these alone were worht the price of admission.The Real Stuff of Life - bartonfink
One of Scorsese's first films, and one where you can really see the pillars his great career has been built on. He is constantly moving the camera in different ways, but the real joy is how he and the actors will just wallow in these moments of reality. True slice of life moments that you rarely see in cinema. Apparently many of these scenes, including the ending were imporvised by Scorsese and the actors. Documentary and commentary (only select scenes) in the special features also recommended.
Member Reviews
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Dated But Still Relevant - newdaysof
Ellen Burstyn does an excellent job playing a single mom trying to find work and raise her 12 year-old son after her husband dies in a traffic accident.
The film was made in the early 70's when the women's liberation movement was in the early stages. ...way better than I expected - arronde8
This period piece was a pleasant surprise. Ditto to all the kudos for Ellen Burstyn -- and all the consternation about the sensitive, feminine side of speedball Martin. Kristofferson was a bit wooden, but unbelievably young versions of Harvey Keitel and ...The Real Stuff of Life - bartonfink
One of Scorsese's first films, and one where you can really see the pillars his great career has been built on. He is constantly moving the camera in different ways, but the real joy is how he and the actors will just wallow in these moments of reality. ...