Still Alice
2014 · Directed by Richard Glatzer, Wash Westmoreland
Original language: English
- drama
The story
Alice Howland, happily married with three grown children, is a renowned linguistics professor who starts to forget words. When she receives a devastating diagnosis, Alice and her family find their bonds tested.
What it’s like
Clean, naturalistic interiors dominate Still Alice: bright kitchens, tidy Columbia University offices, and the lived-in clutter of a family home, all lit by soft daylight that rarely turns dramatic. The camera stays close and observational, often holding on Julianne Moore's face in medium shots while the world around her blurs or sharpens with her confusion, and the score is restrained piano that leaves room for quiet. The vibe is tender and sorrowful, a steady, unhurried ache rather than a tragedy staged for effect, and it suits a slow weekday evening or a quiet afternoon when you want to feel something without being overwhelmed. Pacing is measured and conversational, with the emotional arc following a proud, articulate woman gradually losing her grip on herself while her husband and children learn to adjust, and their small acts of patience and fracture carry much of the weight. Intensity is low: there is no violence, gore or fear-driven horror, and any sexual content is incidental, but the subject of dementia is heavy and the emotional sadness is sustained. It is for viewers drawn to intimate family drama and character-driven illness stories who can handle grief without spectacle.
More films like Still Alice
Closest in mood, pacing and theme. Tell us why you loved Still Aliceand we’ll explain which ones fit you.
