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Here's a look at the new movie I saw this week.

Still Alice
Starring: Julianne Moore, Alec Baldwin, Kristen Stewart, Hunter Parrish, and Kate Bosworth
Synopsis: Our brains are wonderful and complex. They control so much, but we still seemingly know so little about how they work. Still, for most adults — especially those who feel accomplished in their career and home life — our memories and mental acumen are incredibly important. But what happens when, one day, it disappears? How do you respond when you realize that who you are is slipping away? That’s the fundamental question at the heart of “Still Alice,” a film about an accomplished woman with a loving family who is diagnosed with a rapidly progressing case of Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 50. When she still feels in the prime of life, everything starts to slip away. Moore plays Alice Howland, a linguistics professor who’s carved out a niche for herself because of her tireless research and incredible insight. At the same time, she’s cared for her family, too. She raised three kids — daughters Anna (Bosworth) and Lydia (Stewart) and son Tom (Parrish) — and has a good relationship with her husband, John (Baldwin). But shortly after a family birthday celebration, Alice begins to notice that she is having trouble. She forgets words, forgets some people and appointments and even finds herself temporarily lost while out on a run. She goes to the doctor expecting a predictable — and fixable — solution. Instead, her doctor tells her she has Alzheimer’s and her life is about to change forever. Alice struggles with her diagnosis, her future and trying to maintain her life as long as possible. She struggles through her teaching schedule. She struggles to keep up her social and family schedule. And she struggles with a loss of identity. Her family struggles, too. Her husband doesn’t know what to do. He wants to support her, and does, but struggles with seeing the Alice he loves disappearing. Her kids struggle, too. They don’t know what to say or how to help their mother as the strong, confident woman they’ve know is slowing slipping away. “Still Alice” isn’t a great movie, but it’s a compelling story that’s lovingly told. It was a passion project for Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland, who co-wrote and co-directed the film based on the novel by Lisa Genova. Glatzer is battling ALS, and you can tell that the idea of examining someone who is struggling with an incurable illness was a passionate and personal subject for the duo. The story really hums, however, thanks to some great performances, particularly by Moore. Moore won the Best Actress Oscar at Sunday’s ceremony, and it was earned through some tough work in bringing this character to life. She has some beautiful and heart-breaking scenes, depicting a woman who is struggling to hold onto who she is and the life and family she love. It’s ultimately a losing battle, which makes the film even more difficult to watch. Moore is flanked by some fine supporting performances, too. Particularly interesting is the work of Stewart — best know for the “Twilight” films — who plays Alice’s youngest daughter, an aspiring actress. She frequently spars with her mother, but also seems the most drawn to care for her mother following Alice’s diagnosis. In one particularly heart-breaking scene Alice fails to recognize her daughter after attending one of her plays. The subtle work done by Moore and Stewart in that scene — saying volumes without any dialogue — is beautiful. Films work or fail for different reasons. Though lovingly crafted and personal, there is nothing about the production of “Still Alice” that makes it remarkable. But the performances, especially the way Moore captures Alice’s slow decline and desperate struggle to remain present in her life make it compelling.
Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic material, and brief language including a sexual reference.
Verdict: Three stars out of four.

Upcoming Releases:

Friday, February 27 — "Focus," "The Lazarus Effect"