Review for Still Alice

Still Alice tells the story of Alice Howland, a University Professor of Linguistics who begins to show signs of Alzheimer's. Being only 50, this is very rare and the effect on herself and her family is immense as she tries to live her life, knowing that she will slowly begin to forget everything.

Oscar-bait.

That's what this film is. Usually, this is reserved for a cause or an illness or a true-life story and so this film leans into the 'illness' group. Now, that is not to say that this is not a good film, it is just that once you take the astounding and deserving Oscar-winning performance by Julianne Moore as Alice away from this film, there is very little there. At only 101 minutes I expected this film to just fly by, but it is a drag to watch this film. I thought it would simply be because it is quite depressing watching Alice forget things, but it is simply because I just wanted the film to get on with it.

There is no real conflict in this film and so unlike most films of this nature where the characters are trying to find a cure, a way to lessen the effects or simply how to cope, none of that happens. The family don't change and one of the main problems is that it is so difficult to figure out the passage of time. This film badly needed a 'Four/Six Months Later' or something because by the end you can only guess based on the pregnancy of the Kate Bosworth character that at least 9-12 months have passed from the beginning of the film to the end and maybe this would have hit home more just how rapid the fall is for Alice.

The rest of the cast are passable, but nothing special. Alec Baldwin as Alice's husband John is bland, Kate Bosworth as her daughter Anna is repulsively annoying. It seems only Kristen Stewart put some effort into her performance as the ruly teenage daughter Lydia, who hopes to become an actress. It is true, there is very little difference between this and her performance as Bella Swan, but it works. The problems, as I said, is that Moore's performance is such a masterclass that everyone else looks like they are not trying and this makes the film even more difficult to watch. Watching her leave messages for herself and then forget what the message said is painful and in one particular scene devastating.

Extras include interviews with most of the cast and that is fine, though I do wish there had been more of a commentary or a look at how the film was made. It is a shame as from Moore this is a master class in subtle expression and something that should have been made more of. The only other thing is a trailer and I didn't expect there to be Outtakes or anything, but I did expect a bit more.

Still Alice is a one note film. If you are a fan of Julianne Moore, then you will love this film. If you are a fan of tearjerkers you may enjoy this, but even in that respect this film falls a little flat. If you have experienced anyone with Alzheimer's you may want to reconsider whether you want to watch this as Moore's portrayal of this is deeply moving at times. However, if you are looking for a drama that will keep you entertaining, I don't think you will find it with this film.