What Alice Found

What Alice Found is a thought-provoking movie directed by A. Dean Bell and released in the year 2003. With its story centered around America's highways, this feature film stars Emily Grace, Judith Ivey, and Bill Raymond, who all bring a depth of talent to the screen.

At the heart of the plot is Alice, played by Emily Grace, an 18-year-old runaway from New Hampshire who decides to leave her mundane life behind in search of better opportunities in Florida. She dreams of attending a college there, exchanging her middle-of-nowhere home for sandy beaches and sunshine. However, with little money on hand and a long and harsh route ahead, she sets off for an unpredictable road trip to chase her dreams in her dilapidated station wagon.

Alice, with the harsh realities of life breathing down her neck, comes across living on the edge as an equally struggling soul. The film strikes a balance on matters of morality, reality, and survival. Emily Grace’s innocent, youthful portrayal of Alice artfully captures her character's desire for a better lifestyle and her unwavering determination in the face of a harsh reality.

Along the way, Alice comes across an older couple, Sandra and Bill, played by the ever-compelling Judith Ivey and Bill Raymond. They form an unlikely friendship and choose to journey together. Sandra and Bill are subtly intriguing characters, who seem like friendly, helpful elders at first glance. Ivey and Raymond impressively portray this seemingly kindly older couple who travel in a shiny RV and have something of their own to hide.

At its core, the movie is a character study of people who struggle to lead better lives, confined within societal norms and realities. Sandra's character is especially compelling as a woman who straddle lines between maternal figure, fellow traveler, and an accomplice in survival.

The film touches upon issues of poverty and desperation, and how far people would go when pushed to the edge of their luck. The director, A. Dean Bell, brilliantly brings these aspects by focusing on three lives that intersect on an American highway. The result is a dynamic narrative rendered with great realism and authenticity, which proves to be emotionally gripping and intellectually engaging.

The cinematography, capturing the journey from the Northeast to the South, encapsulates vast landscapes, endless highways, and small-town America, creating a visual treat for the audience while setting a fitting stage for the film’s plot. Along with the intense emotions and deep character development, the pace of the film augments the narrative, making it an enthralling watch.

Screenwriter A. Dean Bell draws on the line of reality and fiction, creating characters that are relatable and human at their core. He brings out complex emotions brilliantly, leaving the audience intrigued about each character's next move. The dialogues are well-written, merging seamlessly with the narrative to sketch our characters beautifully, revealing their personas layer by layer.

The performances of the lead trio, Emily Grace, Judith Ivey, and Bill Raymond, are noteworthy. Grace brings a naive innocence and determination to Alice, making the audience root for her from the beginning. Ivey and Raymond capture the complexity of their characters with significant depth, playing their part as the older, mysterious couple to the hilt.

What Alice Found is not only about the journey of a runaway teenager but also focuses on the harsh realities of life that push people to extremes. It captures the essence of survival and the lengths people can go when pushed to the edge. The film has aimed to reflect on the struggle for a better life within a complex society.

In conclusion, What Alice Found is a captivating movie that offers a slice of life that encompasses friendship, struggle, and a journey frothed with unpredictable events. It is a film that takes viewers on a rollercoaster ride of emotions while questioning the paradigms of morality and survival. Through its strong cast, gripping plot, and commendable performances, it's an engaging watch that leaves you pondering long after the credits roll.