What Alice Found

I just saw this on cable. I liked it. It held my interest and the dramatic choices were good. The old couple were very good and good at being subtly creepy. The cinematography is not so great, but the shabby video also adds to the sense of realism, so its a trade-off, you know? At times the girl would hit the New England accent to hard. The accent would sort of come and go. Anyway, I thought the film was well done overall, though. The storyline was strong and dramatic tension was held because you felt their was some subtle mystery going on, even though things seemed mundane. Good job on a low budget. Another good SUNY Purchase filmmaker. Way to go.

Going into "What Alice Found" started me off with two feelings. I expected absolutely nothing, but I was happy to be at Sundance (I only saw the film's poster until after I saw it). Now, I'm not a big fan of Indie-type music and it actually made my head spin for most of the film, but it perfectly shaped the film into a true indie, as well as a film about trashy trailer/RV life. So, it was redeemed on that level. The second point I immediately noted that became redeemed as well was the film quality. From just leaving box-office type movies, I had forgotten the other world of film. So seeing the first 20 minutes of "What Alice Found" looked like my dad's home videos. But the filming (especially towards the end) had a real sort of style to it that made the film seem more real, and that made you forget about how it was filmed, but just about what the story was about. I will not spoil the story in any way, but Judith Ivey's acting was superb from the second she walked on screen, and Emily Grace entered the film industry in a nice sort of way. There was nothing that hit me in this film as unbelievable, but from all of the recent films I have seen, "What Alice Found" was certainly the best film of trashy people, told in the best possible way. You feel like you are there with the actors, due to its 'real' feel, and seeing the plot unfold made this film really shine. I would like to say that it was a very nice film that blossoms in its small little way, but nothing could please me more than films like this one day reaching massive audiences. Creators of the film, your film really had a purpose, one that should be told, exposing Southern RV life in no way ever shown before, and I commend you for your efforts, so I wish you the best of luck in the future.

While I can understand some of the points made regarding the cinematography (I thought a more purposeful approach would have better supported the low-fi, home movie feel) I must say that I thought the script and acting of WHAT ALICE FOUND were excellent! Dean Bell has crafted a real gem that Judith Ivey charms with character-driven delight. Her performance of Sandra is a pleasure -- unfolding, alternately, as diabolical and romantic. We are at once intrigued and repulsed by her actions... and never given more information than is necessary. Her's and the supporting cast's efforts meet Bell's post-modern fairy tale with arms wide open. Emily Grace's Alice is infused with a doey-eyed magic. She seems to mold like clay before us, morphing into some sort of beautiful, lost beast. By the end, we are at odds with words, as she is, saying goodbye to her mother. Kudos also should be doled out to Jane Lincoln Taylor -- whose Mother provides the right amount of tragic historic weight -- and Justin Parkinson -- whose shy first-time John, Sam, provides one of the sweetest, if not most awkward, sex scenes in film. Bell has created a first rate story and assembled a plethora of talent to make it.

It's a sad state in corporate Hollywood when a movie surprises you by not taking routes you've been seeing in the movie house since day one. I had literally no idea how this film was going to end, because it went left when I expected it to go right, zigged when I expected a zag, etc. This could have easily unraveled into generic suspense thriller, or depressing white trash drama, but it stayed a course all its own till the end. It is a sad story, though. Not because of what happens to Alice, but because of the sad world that surrounds her and leads her down this path.

The plot has a quiet dignity of form that's usually reserved for theater, but the pacing could use some tightening up. Either way, it's a very good film, and for some reason I suspect sour grapes from those who have scored this one low.

Having worked professionally with young girls on the run, I found this film surprisingly authentic. I would never have found it had a friend not loaned his videotape. There are classic themes here: Coming of Age, Mother/Daughter Estrangement, The Limited Choices of the Underprivileged, Who is the Good Samaritan, Tragedy is in Every Life & the many layers or relationships. Flashbacks are meaningful (when Alice acquires a gun we know she has some familiarity with how to use it) and it does not end in cliché. The cast really "sells" their roles. It is adult material and the audio is a bit too grainy. Allow it 15 minutes to so to draw you in.