Alice, Querida

Alice, Darling is a surprisingly accurate portrayal of coercive abuse. Coercive abuse and control is the slow erosion of the victim's sense of self. There's no dramatic set-up with explosive drama or thrilling moments, which understandably can leave audiences wanting

Throughout the movie there are subtle cues of abuse. To an outsider the abuse is so insignificant it's not detectable. Leaving the victim thinking the reason for the abuse is their fault

This movie pays homage to the victims of abuse, empathetically and with great consideration. Alice, Darling is probably more for victims and their loved ones, than for a general audience. This could be the reason for the low score. It could serve as an introduction to those who are interested in coercive abuse

The actors does a great job of conveying the confusing reality of abuse, for the victim and those around her. The pacing could at times seem slow but it goes with the general theme of realism, rather than entertainment. In my opinion, the run-time was perfect. Any longer and the movie could've easily been a drudge fest. The dialogue is well-written and there must have been a lot of research involved.

It's not a movie that delves into absolutes, which makes it even more realistic

A well worth watch.

First off, I do understand why not everyone appreciates this movie.

It's more than a little slow in places, and it really doesn't qualify as a thriller or a mystery. Frankly it's not that thrilling, and it's never much of a mystery.

Honestly I watched it because I like Anna Kendrick, and also because I like thrillers in which there's some sort of clever twist and/or the bad guy really gets his/her comeuppance at the end.

Without giving away too much, I'll just say that I was a bit disappointed in that area.

However I also admit I was surprised to see one of the more realistic portrayals of the phenomenon known as the narcistic relationship. This is where someone - a boss, a family member, a boyfriend/girlfriend, etc keeps you under their control by quietly, politely, every-so-helpfully telling you that you just can't do anything right. And the worse they get, the more you believe you're the one with the problem.

And while this movie isn't exactly action-packed or even particularly suspenseful, anyone who has ever been in one of that situation will undoubtedly say that they got it right. The worst bosses typically aren't the ones that yell and scream. The worst family members aren't the ones who call you names. And many, many abusive relationships never involve either participant laying a hand on the other. In each case, the worst offenders are the ones who quietly make you hate yourself.

As far as the ending, again I won't give away too much except to say that once again, anyone who has ever been in that situation will say ya - they got it right.

I know this film will not appeal to everyone but it's worth a watch for the performance Anna Kendrick gives as Alice, a young woman who's very spirit is being eroded by a controlling abusive partner. Her female friends can see it but she is too consumed in his critiques & criticisms to reflect on their effects, until a girls week away. Wunmi Mosaku and Kaniehtiio Horn, as Sophie and Tess, provide a warm contrasting environment to the stilted & cold one Alice lives within and give her the reminder she needs of how free life should be. Nicely done for a first film & the camera work was beautifully observed & intimate.

I get the low ratings. People want their breath taken away, getting excited and entertained. Well, this movie is true to life, and life rarely does any of these. At least not in a good way when you live with an abuser. It sucks all happiness out of you and makes your life anxious and miserable. The movie is kind of slow and uneventful so the hidden emotions can sink in and open your eyes. It's subtle, but spot-on. The three girls are all stellar! The abuser feels flat and hollow, because that's what abusers are - fake and pretending, until they think they've got you and show their real face. I have to admit, I did not enjoy the movie. It's not really meant to be enjoyed. But I enjoyed the superb acting, the setting, the genuine friendship and love, the little gestures. Anna Kendrick is killing it! And the supporting cast too! Remember to just be kind to each other. You don't know what the person in front of you might be going through or dealing with.

You're with a man who's very subtly coercive, in a relationship that's vile and corrosive, playing tricks with how you think, makes you wither, narrow, shrink, this is no way to spend your days, no life to live. Time with friends gives you a chance to float, reflect, of how your mind has crashed and burned, become a wreck, with their help they catch your fall, assist the break with a large maul, evict the poison from your heart, with great effect.

I thought Anna Kendrick was amazing as the mentally anguished and tortured Alice, who's fairy-tale romance had turned out to be anything but, as she finds out what friendship and love really can be, when those close truly care.