Still Alice (2014)

Directed by Richard Glatzer, Wash Westmoreland
Produced by James Brown, Pamela Koffler, Lex Lutzus
Screenplay by Richard Glatzer, Wash Westmoreland
Based on "Still Alice" by Lisa Genova
Starring: Julianne Moore, Alec Baldwin, Kristen Stewart, Kate Bosworth, Hunter Parrish
Music by Ilan Eshkeri
Cinematography: Denis Lenoir
Edited by Nicolas Chaudeurge
Production company: Killer Films, Backup Media, Big Indie Pictures, BSM Studio
Distributed by Sony Pictures Classics
Release date: 8 September 2014 (Canada)
Running time: 101 minutes
Country: United States
Budget: $4 million

"Still Alice" is a drama film written and directed by Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland and based on Lisa Genova's novel of the same name. It tells the story of Dr. Alice Howland, a strong woman with a brilliant career, a good husband and wonderful children. However, she suddenly learns that she has early onset Alzheimer's disease. And it changes her life.

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 Martinez as Elena

The film is directed by Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland. I need to avow that I haven't hear anything about them before. As for "Still Alice", it's an astounding film. In spite of the fact that it shows a life of a woman suffering from the serious illness, it isn't really... hard. At times the film makes cry. But it doesn't depress, it inspires: even if a person has a such illness, it isn't a verdict. One should fight with it and try to live up to the hilt.

Julianne Moore performed her role splendidly! She showed her Alice Howland facing main problems generated by the illness as believable as it makes a viewer imbue with emotions. Alec Baldwin as John Howland wasn't a halfpenny the worse. His part of a man whose wife won't be the same a few days later was also difficult. And I want to say some words about Kristen Stewart's work. She's becoming a really serious actress and her role of Lydia Howland only proved that. Kate Bosworth didn't have a big part but it didn't prevent her to show a good acting.

Advantages

• Julianne Moore as Alice Howland
• Alec Baldwin as John Howland
• Kristen Stewart as Lydia Howland
• Kate Bosworth as Anna Howland-Jones

Disadvantages

• That's cold turkey which makes feel absolutely sad and even cry - a great effect

"Strangenesses"

• That's how an illness may change everything

Clue Moments

• Jogging
• Lectures
• Staying with the family

According to Wikipedia, Alzheimer's disease (AD), also known as Alzheimer disease, or just Alzheimer's, accounts for 60% to 70% of cases of dementia. It's a chronic neurodegenerative disease that usually starts slowly and gets worse over time. The most common early symptom is difficulty in remembering recent events. As the disease advances, symptoms can include: problems with language, disorientation, mood swings, loss of motivation, not managing self care, and behavioural issues. As a person's condition declines they often withdraw from family and society. Gradually, bodily functions are lost, ultimately leading to death. Although the speed of progression can vary, the average life expectancy following diagnosis is three to nine years.

The cause of Alzheimer's disease is poorly understood. About 70% of the risk is believed to be genetic with many genes usually involved. Other risk factors include: a history of head injuries, depression or hypertension. The disease process is associated with plaques and tangles in the brain. A probable diagnosis is based on the history of the illness and cognitive testing with medical imaging and blood tests to rule out other possible causes. Initial symptoms are often mistaken for normal ageing. Examination of brain tissue is needed for a definite diagnosis. Mental and physical exercise, and avoiding obesity may decrease the risk of AD.There are no medications or supplements with evidence to support their use.

No treatments stop or reverse its progression, though some may temporarily improve symptoms. Affected people increasingly rely on others for assistance often placing a burden on the caregiver; the pressures can include social, psychological, physical, and economic elements. Exercise programs are beneficial with respect to activities of daily living and potentially improve outcomes. Treatment of behavioural problems or psychosis due to dementia with antipsychotics is common but not usually recommended due to there often being little benefit and an increased risk of early death.

In 2010, there were between 21 and 35 million people worldwide with AD. It most often begins in people over 65 years of age, although 4% to 5% of cases are early-onset Alzheimer's which begin before this. It affects about 6% of people 65 years and older. In 2010 dementia resulted in about 486,000 deaths. It was first described by, and later named after, German psychiatrist and pathologist Alois Alzheimer in 1906. In developed countries, AD is one of the most financially costly diseases.

And I want to pay attention to some moments. When Alice is looking in a mirror, she can see her several reflections. It shows her identity that starts to fall to pieces. But the main reflection exists - it means that Alice is still Alice, despite her illness. The image of the sea is also important. It shows however that would be with physical condition, emotions and feelings are stronger than anything, they live inside us and keep us holding on anyway.

Soundtracks

1. Ilan Eshkeri - Beach
2. Ilan Eshkeri - Butterfly Video
3. Ilan Eshkeri - Last Phone
4. Ilan Eshkeri - Souls Rising
5. Ilan Eshkeri - Alice Tells The Children
6. Ilan Eshkeri - Speech
7. Ilan Eshkeri - Running
8. Ilan Eshkeri - Pill Video
9. Ilan Eshkeri - Toothpaste
10. Ilan Eshkeri - It Was About You

Quotations

* * *

Dr. Alice Howland: Hi, Alice. I'm you. And I have something very important to say to you. Huh... I guess you've reached that point when you can answer any of your questions. So this is the next logical step. I'm sure of it. Because what's happening to you, the Alzheimer's - you could see it as tragic. But your life has been anything but tragic. You've had a remarkable career, and a great marriage, and three beautiful children. All right. Listen to me, Alice. This is important. Make sure that you are alone and go to the bedroom. In your bedroom, there's a dresser with a blue lamp. Open the top drawer. In the back of the drawer, there's a bottle with pills in it. It says 'take all pills with water'. Now, there are a lot of pills in that bottle, but it's very important that you swallow them all, okay? And then, lie down and go to sleep. And don't tell anyone what you're doing, okay?

* * *

Dr. Alice Howland: Good morning. It's an honor to be here. The poet Elizabeth Bishoponce wrote: 'the Art of Losing isn't hard to master: so many things seem filled with the intent to be lost that their loss is no disaster.' I'm not a poet, I am a person living with Early Onset Alzheimer's, and as that person I find myself learning the art of losing every day. Losing my bearings, losing objects, losing sleep, but mostly losing memories...

* * *

Dr. Alice Howland: All my life I've accumulated memories - they've become, in a way, my most precious possessions. The night I met my husband, the first time I held my textbook in my hands. Having children, making friends, traveling the world. Everything I accumulated in life, everything I've worked so hard for - now all that is being ripped away. As you can imagine, or as you know, this is hell. But it gets worse. Who can take us seriously when we are so far from who we once were? Our strange behavior and fumbled sentences change other's perception of us and our perception of ourselves. We become ridiculous, incapable, comic. But this is not who we are, this is our disease. And like any disease it has a cause, it has a progression, and it could have a cure.

* * *

Dr. Alice Howland: My greatest wish is that my children, our children - the next generation - do not have to face what I am facing. But for the time being, I'm still alive. I know I'm alive. I have people I love dearly. I have things I want to do with my life. I rail against myself for not being able to remember things - but I still have moments in the day of pure happiness and joy. And please do not think that I am suffering. I am not suffering. I am struggling. Struggling to be part of things, to stay connected to whom I was once. So, 'live in the moment' I tell myself. It's really all I can do, live in the moment. And not beat myself up too much... and not beat myself up too much for mastering the art of losing. One thing I will try to hold onto though is the memory of speaking here today. It will go, I know it will. It may be gone by tomorrow. But it means so much to be talking here, today, like my old ambitious self who was so fascinated by communication. Thank you for this opportunity. It means the world to me. Thank you.

* * *

Dr. Alice Howland: I was looking for this last night.
Dr. John Howland: It was a month ago.

* * *

Lydia Howland: But this isn't fair.
Dr. Alice Howland: I don't have to be fair. I'm your mother.

* * *

You may see the trailer here.

Plot: 9/10

Entertainment: 8/10

Acting: 9/10

Originality: 8/10

Music and Sound: 7/10

8/10