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a powerful drama and an absolute acting marathon
"Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore" tells the story of a woman who attempts to forge her own path following her husband's sudden death. The general concept of a woman having her own career and not just being a housewife certainly isn't as radical today as it was when this first came out in 1974, but "Alice..." nevertheless remains a powerful drama thanks to thoroughly terrific performances, and to that trademark Scorsese grittiness. <
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>You can tell that while filming this movie, Ellen Burstyn really WAS Alice Hyatt--her performance is brilliant and flawlessly convincing. Alice's husband Donald (Billy "Green" Bush) dies early in the film in a traffic accident, and it becomes apparent that Alice relied on his financial support while not really being in love him. As we see in the dreamlike opening scene, Alice had aspired to be a singer as a child, a dream that she let fall by the wayside in favor of a typical role as a housewife. With her husband out of the picture, Alice has an 'everything-must-go' type garage sale, sells the house, and hits the road, leaving Socorro, New Mexico with her often annoying, yet sharp 11-year-old son Tommy (Alfred Lutter). <
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>When in Phoenix, a sympathetic bar owner is impressed enough by Alice's audition to hire her to play piano and sing, leading to her meeting of Ben Eberhardt, a character brilliantly portrayed by Harvey Keitel. Ben displays a certain laidback charm, and Alice, who deep down does want to have a man around, falls for him, only to discover that he's already married and prone to fits of violence. Keitel is absolutely devastating in the unforgettable "break in" scene that occurs at the motel Alice and Tommy are staying at, a scene which prompts Alice to get out of town immediately. <
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>Their next stop is Tucson, where Alice despairingly settles for a waitressing job. At the restaurant begins her initially rocky relationship with fellow waitress Flo (Diane Ladd). She also meets at the restaurant the charming, divorced farmer David, played by Kris Kristofferson in a natural, engaging performance. Despite her wariness, Alice does fall in love with David, but the relationship isn't exactly smooth sailing, and it leads Alice into a painful realization about her own son. Meanwhile, Tommy is hanging out with his new friend, the mischievous Audrey, played astonishingly by an 11 or 12 year old Jodie Foster. <
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>Ultimately, we do get a full-blown happy-ending, and that's okay, because it's touchingly done, and the path that leads to that ending is such a rewarding one. "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore" is a film no serious viewer should miss. <
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>As usual for a Martin Scorsese direction, this DVD release of "Alice..." is very, very well done, featuring an absolutely superb widescreen transfer of the film. Additionally, there's an excellent, informative documentary featuring interview segments with Burstyn and Kristofferson; and there's also insightful and unfailingly entertaining commentary from the often motor-mouthed Scorsese.

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Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore
This film is atypical of director Scorsese's work, a world away from the urban, ethnic male preserves of "Raging Bull" and "Goodfellas." Yet the personal, heartfelt quality of "Alice" makes it one of my favorite Scorsese outings. Singer/actor Kris Kristofferson is appealingly mellow as Alice's laconic, no-nonsense boyfriend. Burstyn won Oscar, deservedly, and Diane Ladd (Laura Dern's mom) is also terrific as Alice's straight-talking waitress pal. Also look for a young, precocious Jodie Foster in a pre-"Taxi Driver" role.

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Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore
There are more laughs, cries, struggles, heartaches, and lessons packed into this one-woman-on-the-road show than just about any other movie you have seen. It reveals the escapism and yearning inherent to rural southwestern life. This is an excellent film from the earlier career days of distinquished directors and actors. You can certainly understand the Best Actress award that went to Ellen. A pre-teenage Jodie Foster is a bonus. Just about everyone that sees it loves this movie classic.