Who is Alice

Who is Alice, directed by Ismaël Lotz and Paul Smit, is an intriguing film that ardently seeks to examine life's profound questions. The 2017 Dutch masterpiece starring Ali Bastian, Patrick Holland, and Lee Brace, is a harmonious blend of comedy-drama and spirituality that effectively entices viewers to reflect on their own identities.

Without giving away too much, Who Is Alice relates the stories of two main characters, Alice (Ali Bastian) and Dick R. (Patrick Holland). Ali Bastian, appreciated for her roles in various British soaps like Hollyoaks and The Bill, delivers an excellent performance as Alice Dodgson. Alice is an ambitious yet insecure actress in her late 20s striving to make it big, but grappling with rejection, ego, and a wavering self-esteem.

Opposite Alice, we have Patrick Holland setting a charming aura as Dick R., an ex-love of hers. Dick is a career-driven, headstrong car salesman, who, like Alice, is continuously in search of the path to success and grappling with the pitfalls of ambition. Through the characters' lives, the film explores how our relentless pursuit of success and happiness often leads to feelings of inadequacy, with our identities caught up in the world's view of us.

On the periphery, we have Lee Brace who plays the role of Neil, a heavy-drinker and unemployed divorcee, seeking wisdom and escapism from his mundane life. Brace's immaculate performance encapsulates the quintessence of a man battling his inner demons and seeking solace.

Together, these characters embark on a fascinating pursuit of existential meanings, personal introspection, and the understanding of the self within the bustling cacophony of life's enigmas. This theme is touched upon most vivaciously through the lens of Alice's personal journey and spiritual awakening, which serves as an emblematic representation of individual transformation, consciousness evolution, and the pursuit of genuine happiness.

Amid these character arcs, we find Neil's bizarre auto-interviews, his deep and thoughtful advocacies for spiritual awakening and enlightening anecdotes from his 'Spiritual Revolution' book, which break the fourth wall and invite us into his philosophical endeavors. These episodes elevate the film to a unique blend of storytelling, comedy, and spiritual discourse.

The narrative oscillates effortlessly between pathos and comedy, with numerous comic instances that provide both relief and incisive commentary on existential questions. Yet, contained within this humor is a serious exploration of modern-day issues of psychological pressure, materialism, societal expectations, and the ceaseless struggle for identity in an increasingly homogenous world.

More than just a comedy-drama, Who is Alice is a philosophical probe into the duality of human persona and the significance of individual identity. It engages with timeless questions like "Who am I?" and explores the many facets of our self-image that dictate our behavior.

The film’s ability to balance narrational depth with situational humor makes it a standout cinema piece. It will undoubtedly appeal to viewers seeking a dose of existential musings underlined with comedic undertones. While it is a thought-provoking piece, it also provides an entertaining journey that keeps viewers engaged.

The cinematography and production design are worthy of mention, flawlessly capturing the individual's contrasts within the complexities of one's environment. The dialogue is intelligent, peppered with wit, humour, and profound insights.

Who is Alice isn’t a film that answers the big questions for you. Instead, through the narrative, it presents the questions and then gently nudges you to mull over them. The film's narrative complexity is underlined by its intricate character development, its philosophical undertones, and its look at the continually evolving human condition.

In a nutshell, Who is Alice offers a moving, thought-provoking, yet entertaining experience that follows a group of individuals as they navigate the intricacies of identity, success, and happiness. A masterstroke in the realm of philosophical cinema, Who is Alice is an unmissable treat for any ardent film lover.