Review of Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974) by Brad G — 15 Apr 2013

"What's with this broad?" After her husband dies in a truck accident, Ellen Burstyn sells her earthly belongings, packs her son into the car, and heads across America in search of the happiness she once had in Monetary (visualized at the start of the picture as a Wizard of Ozish Hollywood dreamscape, but laced with childish potty mouth bravado).

Lack of funds force stops along the way. She encounters Harvey Keitel's terrifying switchblade husband, stands by her new man Kris Kristofferson, and drops anchor at a diner destined for sitcom reruns.

Burstyn practically made a career out of mother roles (The Last Picture Show, The Exorcist, Requiem for a Dream), but Alice is her ultimate work. Her relationship with her 12 year old brat is simultaneously frustrating and utterly sweet.

Alfred Lutter might pull off the greatest child performance I've ever seen - he manages to be frustratingly foul, ready for a smack, and also totally understandable. This kid is trapped in the genetics and teachings of his mother, and she in turn is imprisoned by her spawn.

The fact that Kristofferson doesn't buckle under their baggage, but craves their presence is a serious indication of genuine love, even when he's gotta deliver a thwack. Question: "Is Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore still part of the cinematic conversation?" Given that this film has never come up in the millions of movie chats I've had throughout my life, I'm guessing the answer is "No.

" Which is just not right. This film is one of the finest screenplays Martin Scorsese has ever handled. It definitely appears to be outside his wheelhouse, but it's also obvious that he understands the failings of dreams and the fight that everyday people have in order to incorporate those dreams into the ordinary of their day to day lives.

I think it's one of his finest works.