Still Alice is a very moving movie based on a book about a young woman, Alice (Moore).  She is a big time professor at Columbia University in New York City, and the mother of three grown children.  She is 50 years old, and has a wonderful marriage to her husband John (Alec Baldwin).  Then, as the next phase of her life is about to begin, she is stricken with Alzheimer's Disease. 

Her form of it is very aggressive and it appears that her prognosis is not very good at all.  So what this movie does is chronicle her coping with this horrible diagnosis along with her family.  She decides that she is going to do all she can to live the best life possible.  But she soon learns that this is not going to be easy, and that how her family reacts to this is as important as her reaction to it.  This take us on this incredibly difficult journey.

This movie is a very difficult to watch, even for those of us who have not been down the road with this awful disease in our lives.  This movie will be incredibly moving to those who have in one way shape or form.  Truth be told this is gut wrenching at times, as it is a sobering reminder that life is fragile, especially when an illness strikes someone in their prime that is not supposed to. This is not light movie watching and is certainly not for everyone.

Julianne Moore just won an Oscar for this, and she is very good in this tragic role of a woman and her family.  She is quite good in this, as this is a huge part that she immerses herself in totally. Truth is, I am not a huge fan of hers, but this is the defining role of her career.  Sadly, because of the smallness of the release, and then difficult subject matter, few in the grand scheme of things will see her here - at her best. 

This has a nice supporting cast along with Baldwin, Kristin Stewart (Twilight), is her youngest daughter, and has never been better in any role.  But the reality is, that this is Moore's movie along with the powerful script that grip you throughout.  This will be way too close to the bone for some, and may be some nice therapy for others depending on your DNA. But regardless, this is one heavy, deep drama.

Still Alice.  Pretty tough stuff. But well done.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.