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.

Judith Ivey as the scamming old whore is awesome. Emily Grace the young girl. Is innocent and exciting as she learns whats going down. Excellent direction and camera. Story is dark and disturbing.Supporting cast is good. Shows what happens and can happen with a run of bad luck. Great independent film. Small cast. Pace is slow at first and then moves good. A good movie to show your teen age daughter who has aspirations of leaving home early, for the open road and adventure. This movie, film has a low budget feel to it, but it works because of the low lifes and areas that these people move in. I will never stop a rest stop again with out thinking of this movie and checking my tires before I go.

Six out of seven people who took the time to comment on this movie have very positive responses. The one negative review happens to reside (or did) on the first page of the movie's location in the IMDb.

I found "What Alice Found" to be one of the best movies almost no one's heard of that I have seen this year. It's 6.4 rating is misleading and may be more a function of the difficult subject matter than the quality of the movie. Who would think that a movie purportedly about truck stop prostitution would be worth seeing? Guess again.

For me, "Alice" was a positively gripping psychological thriller. I was virtually on the edge of my seat the entire time. It's a very credible story with a realistic script and is very well cast. In a fairer world, actress Judith Ivey would win awards for keeping you guessing whether she was good or evil.

Ignore the rating and see this terrific movie. (And by the way, I wish there was a soundtrack album.)