Alice

Alice is an intriguing drama film from 2022 that weaves through the complicated yet captivating fabric of American history. The film features the commendable talents of Keke Palmer, Common, and Jonny Lee Miller, among a strong supporting cast. Set in the American South of the 19th century, Alice offers a unique interpretive twist to antebellum narratives — it rejects conventional storytelling techniques, and instead, it layers a time-traveling fantasy over its core quest for freedom.

Keke Palmer does an incredibly commendable job portraying the lead character, Alice. A young enslaved woman on a Georgian plantation, Alice has no awareness of the truth and brutal reality of her existence. Instead, she lives an insulated life, guided by the norms and expectations of the time. The complexities in her role allowed for Palmer’s range as an actress to shine through. Alice’s character begins with apparent naivety; however, she transitions through uncertainty, defiance, and eventually profound courage as she treads on a path of self-discovery and emancipation.

Common and Jonny Lee Miller deliver brilliant performances as supporting characters that heavily influence Alice’s life. Common, known for his introspective roles, once again proves his prowess on screen as the intelligent and compassionate man who serves as a guiding light for Alice as she embarks on her quest for freedom. Meanwhile, Jonny Lee Miller, in his cold demeanor and convincing portrayal of the plantation owner, heightens the tense atmosphere that constantly looms in the background.

The world turns upside-down for Alice when she unexpectedly breaks the time barrier. Landing in 1973 Savannah, Georgia, Alice discovers something extraordinary, almost inconceivable: a world where slavery has been abolished. This paradigm shift is marked by Alice’s confusion, joy, and fear simmering into an overwhelming surge of emotions, perfectly embodied by Palmer’s performance.

Marrett Green exploits this time-travel narrative to critically examine the scars left by slavery’s gruesome past on America. Freed from the shackles of the past, Alice is now in a world where Black people are no longer enslaved but are still fighting for dignity and justice in a society riddled with racial tension. Through Alice’s eyes, we see the disconnect and evolution of race relations over the centuries.

The film is directed by Krystin Ver Linden, who makes her directorial debut with Alice. She does a magnificent job in the portrayal of contrasting eras, highlighting dramatic changes in society and individual lives, yet underscoring the remaining threads of racial prejudice.

Alice could best be described as a blend of historical drama, thought-provoking social commentary, and fantastical time-travel narrative. For all its heavy subjects, the film does not shy away from using humor to slice through tense moments, and there is a continuous undercurrent of hope and resilience that holds the entire narrative together.

The strength of Alice lies not only in its mesmerizing cast and fresh storytelling techniques but also in its cinematic vision. Director Ver Linden successfully creates contrasting visual landscapes, moving from the grittiness of the plantation fields to the modern and colorful streets of 1970s Savannah, adept at staging careful mise-en-scene that effectively convey the introspective journey of Alice. The cinematography, art direction, and costumes come together to make it a visual treat.

Moreover, the film’s pulsating and evocative score adds an additional layer to the storytelling, conveying the unspoken emotions and heightening the narrative tension. From soulful melodies to tension-filled scores, the music leaves a significant impact.

Alice is a thought-provoking film that daringly explores the repercussions of America's brutal past utilizing elements of fantasy and drama, anchoring it all on a profoundly human journey towards self-discovery and freedom. Featuring a powerful cast and fresh take on historical narratives, the film is a nuanced critique of societal constructs around race and the tireless quest for emancity against a seemingly inescapable past.