Several films in recent years have dealt with the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s disease, but none so effectively and tragically as “Still Alice”. Based on the best-selling novel by Lisa Genova, “Still Alice” stars Julianne Moore plays the title character, a Columbia University professor of linguistics, who, at the age of 50, is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s. The shattering news has a dramatic affect on her and her family tremendously, including husband John (Alec Baldwin gives his most authentic performance in years), son Tom, and daughters Anna (Kate Bosworth) and Lydia (an excellent Kristen Stewart). Alice knows that she cannot beat the disease, but vows to enjoy the remaining time she has while most of her memories are in tact.
Over the course of the film we witness Alice as her condition dramatically worsens. There are numerous heartbreaking scenes in which she simply can’t remember names or faces, misplaces things and getting lost in her own home. Scenes working with her neurologist and sharing the initial news of her condition with her children are especially powerful.
There’s little suspense in the story, since the characters and the audience all know Alice’s fate. And yet “Still Alice” is one of the most riveting film experiences of the year. We are continuously pounded emotionally, as this intelligent woman, so full of life, crumbles, mentally, before our eyes. The scenes become harder and harder to watch and we share in the hopelessness and despair that Alice and her loved-ones are going through. And it’s Moore’s incredible performance that makes it all work. Nothing her ever feels forced or phony, even when you think the script might go there.
At times “Still Alice” does get a little too heavy-handed, with a piercing piano soundtrack and too many flashback images. And there are a few minor, but noticeable continuity issues. However, this is a performance-driven film about a very important subject, and it needs to be seen.
In one of the film’s best moments, Alice, already far into the disease, accepts an invitation to speak at an Alzheimer’s conference. We see her highlighting each line as she reads it with “this yellow thing” (unable to remember the word “highlighter”) so that she doesn’t read the same line over and over. Moore has previously been nominated for four Academy Awards, but has never won. With this performance expect that number now to go to five, with a first win very likely.
On The Official LCJ Report Card, “Still Alice” gets a B+.
Running Time: 101 min.