Review of Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974) by Rhady N — 27 Sep 2008

An utterly typical road movie that's pulled off on the basis of really excellent acting and characterization. I have a feeling Scorsese's involvement was limited mainly to the excellent sense of color and composition that elevates it above the standard grainy 'realistic' 70's look.

The acting was, I suspect, the result of Ellen Burstyn having something to prove, and everyone else responding to that. Alfred Lutter is fantastic, showing amazing skill for a child actor, and carries a great part of the film on his own.

This film could have been plodding and meditative, but it flies by and practically leaps off the screen, mainly due to its unsentimentality.