Alice (1990)

A spoiled Manhattan housewife re-evaluates her life after visiting a Chinatown healer.

Director:

Woody Allen

Writer:

Woody Allen

Stars:

Mia Farrow, William Hurt, Joe Mantegna

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joe Mantegna	...	Joe
Mia Farrow	...	Alice
William Hurt	...	Doug
June Squibb	...	Hilda
Marceline Hugot	...	Monica
Dylan O'Sullivan Farrow	...	Kate
Matthew H. Williamson	...	Dennis (as Matt Williamson)
Julie Kavner	...	Decorator
Billy Taylor	...	Trainer
Holland Taylor	...	Helen
Michael-Vaughn Sullivan	...	Hairstylist
Robin Bartlett	...	Nina
Linda Wallem	...	Penny
Gina Gallagher	...	Joe's Daughter
Patience Moore	...	School Teacher

Storyline

Alice Tate, mother of two, with a marriage of 16 years, finds herself falling for the handsome sax player, Joe. Stricken with a backache, she consults Dr. Yang, an oriental herbalist who realizes that her problems are not related to her back, but in her mind and heart. Dr. Yang's magical herbs give Alice wondrous powers, taking her out of well-established rut.

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Plot Keywords:

female protagonist | invisible man | bored housewife | socialite | gossip | 

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Taglines:

A younger man and a bolder woman

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Cantonese

Release Date:

10 January 1991 (Argentina)

Also Known As:

Alice - Apisti i apatimeni?

Filming Locations:

64 Perry Street, Manhattan, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$12,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$7,331,647

Company Credits

Production Co:

Jack Rollins & Charles H. Joffe Productions, Orion Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR (Mono)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Film debut of June Squibb.

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Goofs

When Thelonious Monk's version of "Darn That Dream" appears on the soundtrack, the LP sleeve of "Monk's Dream" is shown, implying that Alice and Joe are listening to it. However the tune is not featured on that album.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Doug: Hey, where are you now?
Alice: Nowhere.
Doug: It's late, I have to go.

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Connections

Version of Meruhen Meizu (1988)

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Soundtracks

Alice Blue Gown
(1919)
Written by Joseph McCarthy (as Joseph McCarthy Sr.) and Harry Tierney
Performed by Wayne King & His Orchestra
Courtesy of Goldwax Record Comapny, Inc.

User Reviews

Mild and gentle with some surprising insight.

Not one of Woody Allen's best films, "Alice" is nonetheless far better than what he's been turning out lately. The structure seems too random and unfocused, but it's still full of Allen's wise observations and commentary on human nature and modern-day life – the qualities that make Woody Allen movies so special. The biggest fault I find with this film is Mia Farrow. Her run of films with Woody Allen are among his best, and her contributions are immense. Here she just seems unconvincing as a wealthy upper-Eastsider. Yes, we meet her character while she's questioning her life, but somehow the hat, the hair, the shoes just aren't sophisticated enough for a woman who's been living that lifestyle. She lacks the hardboiled edge of a seasoned New Yorker. Because she's too soft right from the beginning, her transformation falls short. The film is helped by all the star cameos, and even though they're brief, the characters are well-defined. "Alice" is definitely worth a look.