Posts
Still Alice
| Still Alice | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster
| |
| Directed by |
|
| Produced by |
|
| Screenplay by |
|
| Based on | Still Alice by Lisa Genova |
| Starring |
|
| Music by | Ilan Eshkeri |
| Cinematography | Denis Lenoir |
| Edited by | Nicolas Chaudeurge |
Production
company |
|
| Distributed by | Sony Pictures Classics |
Release dates
|
|
Running time
| 101 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $5 million |
| Box office | $13.6 million |
"Still Alice" is a drama film written and directed by Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland and based on Lisa Genova's 2007 bestselling novel of the same name.
The film stars Julianne Moore in the role of Alice Howland, a Columbia linguistics professor diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease.
Alec Baldwin plays her husband John.
Kristen Stewart, Kate Bosworth, and Hunter Parrish play her children Lydia, Anna, and Tom.
The film had its world premiere at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2014.
Moore's performance has earned universal acclaim including wins for a Golden Globe for Best Actress – Drama, a Critics' Choice Movie Award, a SAG Award, a BAFTA Award and an Academy Award, among other nominations and accolades.
Contents
After discovering it was genetically inherited from her father, her children test themselves to see if the disease has been passed to them.
The eldest daughter, Anna (Kate Bosworth), tests positive.
Anna is having twins, but they prove not to have the mutated gene.
Her only son, Tom, a junior doctor proves to be negative and her youngest daughter, Lydia (Kristen Stewart), decides not to be tested.
Alice, concerned and afraid for her future and how that will affect those around her, begins to try memorizing random words that she writes and then hides on a blackboard, as well as setting up important personal questions on her phone that she tasks herself with answering every morning.
Tagged at the end is a message telling her to go to a video she recorded which instructs her future self to commit suicide via sleeping-pill overdose should she be unable to answer the questions.
Alice's disease progresses, while relations with her family are strained from many separate directions, including the loss of her academic position, her husband's work demands, her continually increasing needs, and Lydia's elusive acting career.
Alice is able to attend an Alzheimer's conference and deliver a moving speech to a standing ovation regarding the difficulties she is forced to endure.
Over the course of several months, her disease begins to take its toll, making Alice unable to answer her questions or spell them correctly.
Further stress is added when John announces that they must move to Minnesota to better their financial situation, as well as her losing her phone for a month.
After having a video chat with Lydia, she tries to open a file her daughter sent her, but inadvertently opens the video file addressed to herself.
Having regressed even further at this point, she willingly complies with its dire instructions and, with some difficulty, is able to get the pills and go to the bathroom.
She pours them into her palm, but her front door is suddenly opened by her caretaker.
Flinching, she spills the pills onto the floor, effectively ending the possibility of committing suicide.
John resolves to move to Minnesota while Lydia moves from her home in California to care for her worsening mother.
Lydia reads Alice a section of the play, Angels in America, and, upon being questioned about its meaning, Alice, now barely able to form words, manages to speak one: love.
Cast
- Julianne Moore as Alice Howland
- Alec Baldwin as John Howland
- Kristen Stewart as Lydia Howland
- Kate Bosworth as Anna Howland-Jones
- Hunter Parrish as Tom Howland
- Shane McRae as Charlie Jones
- Stephen Kunken as Benjamin
- Victoria Cartagena as Professor Hooper
- Seth Gilliam as Frederic Johnson
- Daniel Gerroll as Eric Wellman
- Erin Darke as Jenny
- Kristin Macomber as Anne
- Caridad Montanez as Elena
The film was produced by Lex Lutzus and James Brown of Lutzus/Brown along with Pamela Koffler of Killer Films.
It was executive produced by American journalist and author Maria Shriver along with Christine Vachon of Killer Films and Declan Baldwin of Big Indie pictures.
Principal photography began in New York on March 3, 2014.
Scenes were shot at 162nd Street between Edgecombe and Amsterdam in New York as well as at Columbia University, Lido Beach, New York and Dobbs Ferry, New York.
Filming wrapped in early April.
On July 22, 2014, with the announcement of film's premiere at TIFF, the first still of Julianne Moore as Dr. Alice Howland from the film was released.
Sony Pictures Classics bought the US distribution rights for the film in a low seven figure deal that was announced on September 11, 2014.
SPC gave the film a one week qualifying run for the Oscars starting December 5, 2014, with a wider theatrical release on January 16, 2015.
The film went into full wide release in the United States on February 27, 2015.
The film was leaked onto peer-to-peer file sharing websites on November 27, over a month ahead of its intended public release.
Along with it came Fury and three other at-the-time unreleased Sony Pictures films (Annie, Mr. Turner, and To Write Love on Her Arms).
Within three days of the initial leak, Still Alice had been downloaded by an estimated 103,832 unique IPs.
As of March 1, 2015, Still Alice has grossed an estimated domestic total of $11,984,000 after expanding to 1,318 theaters for the film's seventh week of release.
The international box office, as of February 22, is an estimated $1,646,759.
Still Alice premiered at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival to positive reviews, with emphasis on Julianne Moore's performance.
On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a rating of 91% based on 127 reviews, with an average rating of 7.5/10.
The site's consensus reads, "Elevated by a gripping performance from Julianne Moore, Still Alice is a heartfelt drama that honors its delicate themes with bravery and sensitivity."
On Metacritic, which assigns a weighted mean rating out of 100 reviews from film critics, the film has a score of 72 out of 100, based on 37 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".
The National Board of Review Awards named Still Alice as one of the top ten independent films of 2014.
Peter Debruge of Variety wrote in a positive review that the film had been shot "in such a way that activity is constantly spilling beyond the edges of the frame, giving the impression that characters’ lives continue when they’re not on camera, even as Alice’s seems to be closing in around her.
Just as her kids look for ever-fainter signs of their mother behind those eyes, we lean in to watch Moore the actress turn invisible within her own skin."
Deborah Young of The Hollywood Reporter called the film "warm, compassionate, but bitingly honest" and asserted that Julianne Moore had a "career-high performance."
Young also praised the direction of the film, noting that "the directors tackle a subject where a restrained, understated approach is the best insurance against sloppy sentimentality.
It pays off handsomely in the film’s closing moments, a poignant, poetic confrontation between the generations that draws the best from Moore and reveals unexpected depth in Stewart."
Gregory Ellwood of Hitfix praised Moore:
"In each scene she peels a little bit more of Alice away as the emotional pain of the disease takes its toll."
Ellwood also praised the direction, stating,
"The duo behind the critically acclaimed Quinceañera let the film's narrative unspool in as restrained a manner as possible.
There are no unbelievable hysterics. There are no self-aware screaming matches."
Tim Grierson of Screen International praised the understated direction and Moore, as well as Baldwin, Stewart, and Bosworth's supporting work:
"Baldwin is particularly good as an ambitious medical researcher who is losing not just his wife but also a woman who was as driven as he was."
Grierson added,
"With nuance, Bosworth and Stewart both play women who seem to have been profoundly shaped by their impressive mother, and we feel the characters’ confusion at having her influence suddenly ripped away from them.
Stewart especially shines, initially playing a prototypical starving-artist type who surprises her family by her response to Alice’s diagnosis.
For her performance as Dr. Alice Howland, Julianne Moore won the Academy Award for Best Actress among other awards and nominations.
| List of Accolades | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Award / Film Festival | Category | Recipient(s) | Result |
| Academy Awards | Best Actress | Julianne Moore | Won |
| Alliance of Women Film Journalists | Best Actress | Julianne Moore | Won |
| EDA Special Mention Award – Actress Defying Age and Ageism | Still Alice | Nominated | |
| AACTA International Awards | Best Actress | Julianne Moore | Won |
| BAFTA Awards | Best Actress in a Leading Role | Julianne Moore | Won |
| Chicago Film Critics Associatio Awards | Best Actress | Julianne Moore | Won |
| Critics' Choice Movie Awards | Best Actress | Julianne Moore | Won |
| Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association | Best Actress | Julianne Moore | Runner-up |
| Detroit Film Critics Society | Best Actress | Julianne Moore | Nominated |
| Dorian Awards | Best Actress | Julianne Moore | Won |
| Florida Film Critics Circle | Best Actress | Julianne Moore | Runner-up |
| Golden Globe Awards | Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama | Julianne Moore | Won |
| Georgia Film Critics Association | Best Actress | Julianne Moore | Nominated |
| Gotham Independent Film Awards | Best Actress | Julianne Moore | Won |
| Hollywood Film Awards | Hollywood Actress Award | Julianne Moore | Won |
| Houston Film Critics Society Awards | Best Actress | Julianne Moore | Won |
| Independent Spirit Awards | Best Female Lead | Julianne Moore | Won |
| International Cinephile Society Awards | Best Actress | Julianne Moore | Runner-up |
| London Film Critics Circle Awards | Actress of the Year | Julianne Moore | Won |
| Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards | Best Actress | Julianne Moore | Runner-up |
| MPSE Golden Reel Awards | Feature English Language – Dialogue/ADR | Javier Bennassar | Nominated |
| National Board of Review Awards | Best Actress | Julianne Moore | Won |
| Top 10 Independent Films | Still Alice | Won | |
| Online Film Critics Society Awards | Best Actress | Julianne Moore | Nominated |
| Palm Springs International Film Festival | Desert Palm Achievement Award | Julianne Moore | Won |
| San Francisco Film Critics Circle Awards | Best Actress | Julianne Moore | Won |
| Satellite Awards | Best Actress – Motion Picture | Julianne Moore | Won |
| Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role | Julianne Moore | Won |
| St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association | Best Actress | Julianne Moore | Nominated |
| Toronto Film Critics Association Awards | Best Actress | Julianne Moore | Runner-up |
| Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards | Best Actress | Julianne Moore | Won |
| Women Film Critics Circle | Best Actress | Julianne Moore | Won |
References
- "STILL ALICE (12A)". British Board of Film Classification. December 1, 2014. Retrieved December 1, 2014.
- ^ "Still Alice (2015)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved March 1, 2015.
- Jump up ^ "Kristen Stewart, Alec Baldwin, Kate Bosworth Join Julianne Moore in ‘Still Alice’". thewrap. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
- Jump up ^ "AFM: Julianne Moore Boards Adaptation of ‘Alice’ Novel (EXCLUSIVE)". variety. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
- Jump up ^ "Advertisement". Variety. Retrieved December 2, 2014.
- Jump up ^ "Kristen Stewart confirmed for Still Alice". Retrieved 2 April 2014.
- Jump up ^ "Kristen Stewart Isn't Changing Her Routine Now That She's in NYC". Retrieved 4 March 2014.
- Jump up ^ "Filming Locations for ‘Still Alice’, starring Kristen Stewart and Julianne Moore, in NYC Mar. 3 – Mar. 7". Retrieved March 4, 2014.
- Jump up ^ "TIFF First Look: Kate Winslet In 'A Little Chaos,' Paul Dano As Brian Wilson In 'Love & Mercy' & Julianne Moore In 'Still Alice'". July 22, 2014.
- Jump up ^ Mike Fleming Jr. "Julianne Moore Movie ‘Still Alice’ Headed For Awards-Season Run - Deadline". Deadline. Retrieved December 2, 2014.
- Jump up ^ "Advertisement". Variety. Retrieved December 2, 2014.
- Jump up ^ "'Still Alice' Oscar buzz brings attention to Alzheimer's". Retrieved February 27, 2015.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Sony’s New Movies Leak Online Following Hack Attack". Variety. Retrieved December 2, 2014.
- Jump up ^ http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=weekly&id=stillalice.htm
- Jump up ^ http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=intl&id=stillalice.htm
- Jump up ^ http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/still_alice/
- Jump up ^ http://www.metacritic.com/movie/still-alice
- Jump up ^ Hilary Lewis. "'A Most Violent Year' Named Best Film by National Board of Review". The Hollywood Reporter.
- Jump up ^ "Advertisement". Variety. Retrieved December 2, 2014.
- Jump up ^ Deborah Young. "'Still Alice': Toronto Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 2, 2014.
- Jump up ^ "Review: Julianne Moore is shattering in wonderfully restrained Still Alice". HitFix. Retrieved December 2, 2014.
- Jump up ^ "Still Alice". Retrieved December 2, 2014.
- Jump up ^ "Academy Awards nominations 2015". Oscars.go.com. 15 January 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
- Jump up ^ "2014 EDA Awards Winners". Alliance of Women Film Journalists. January 12, 2015. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
- Jump up ^ Hawker, Philippa; Boyle, Finlay (7 January 2014). "AACTA international nominations 2015: The Babadook a surprise inclusion". The Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Media). Retrieved 7 January 2014.
- Jump up ^ http://awards.bafta.org/award/2015/film
- Jump up ^ "2014 Chicago Film Critics Association Awards Nominations". Retrieved December 12, 2014.
- Jump up ^ Gray, Tim (December 15, 2014). "‘Birdman,’ ‘Grand Budapest’ Top Critics Choice Awards Nominations". Variety. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
- Jump up ^ "The 2014 Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Winners". Retrieved January 15, 2015.
- Jump up ^ "The 2014 Detroit Film Critics Society Awards Winners". Retrieved January 15, 2015.
- Jump up ^ "The 2014 Dorian Awards Winners". Retrieved January 21, 2015.
- Jump up ^ "Florida Film Critics Circle Winners". Retrieved January 15, 2015.
- Jump up ^ "2015 Golden Globe Nominations". Retrieved December 11, 2014.
- Jump up ^ "2015 Georgia Film Critics Association Winners". Retrieved January 15, 2015.
- Jump up ^ "Gotham Independent Film Awards 2014 Nominations". Rotten Tomatoes. October 23, 2014. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
- Jump up ^ Aaron Couch. "Hollywood Film Awards: Complete Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 2, 2014.
- Jump up ^ "The Houston Film Critics Society Award Winners for 2014" (Press release). Houston Film Critics. PR Houston Film Critics. 12 January 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
- Jump up ^ "‘Birdman’ Tops Spirit Awards Nominations (Full List)". Variety. November 25, 2014. Retrieved November 26, 2014.
- Jump up ^ "2015 ICS Award Nominees". icsfilm.org. February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
- Jump up ^ "35th London Film Critics Circle Awards". criticscircle.org.uk. December 19, 2014. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
- Jump up ^ "40th Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards Winners Published". lafca.net. December 7, 2014. Retrieved December 7, 2014.
- Jump up ^ "'Birdman,' 'Apes' Top 2015 Golden Reel Nominations". Deadline.com. January 14, 2015. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
- Jump up ^ "National Board of Review Announces 2014 Award Winners". National Board of Review. December 2, 2014. Retrieved December 2, 2014.
- Jump up ^ "'Boyhood,' 'Grand Budapest' lead with 2014 online film critics nominations". HitFix. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
- Jump up ^ "Julianne Moore earns Palm Springs Film Festival’s Best Actress award". HitFix. November 13, 2014. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
- Jump up ^ "2014 San Francisco Critics Circle Awards Nominations". December 13, 2014. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
- Jump up ^ "The International Press Academy Announces Nominations For The 19th Annual Satellite™ Awards". Yahoo!. December 1, 2014. Retrieved December 1, 2014.
- Jump up ^ "2015 SAG Awards nominations - complete list". Retrieved December 10, 2014.
- Jump up ^ "2015 St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association Winners". Retrieved January 15, 2015.
- Jump up ^ "The Toronto Film Critics Association names Richard Linklater’s Boyhood the Best Film of the Year". Retrieved January 15, 2015.
- Jump up ^ "Boyhood and Birdman Dominate This Years Washington DC Film Critics Awards". WKRG.com. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
External links[edit]
- Still Alice at the Internet Movie Database
- Still Alice at Box Office Mojo
- Still Alice at Rotten Tomatoes
- Still Alice at Metacritic
| ||
| ||
Categories:
- 2014 films
- English-language films
- 2010s drama films
- American films
- American drama films
- Films about Alzheimer's disease
- Films based on American novels
- Films shot in New York
- Sony Pictures Classics films
- Films featuring a Best Actress Academy Award winning performance
- Films featuring a Best Drama Actress Golden Globe winning performance
No comments:
Post a Comment