When it comes to choosing my movies, a story about a woman with illness will always trump a car-chasing-money-laundering-fist-fighting heist. I prefer to get inside a tale that’s relatable, something close enough to home so it speaks to my soul. Still Alice, the film about a linguistics professor diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s, is that- a real life look at living with the disease; both as the afflicted, and as the affected family member.
The scene starts off with Alice, a super witty woman who’s quick with her words and strong on her feet, celebrating her 50th birthday with her husband and 3 adult children. As the illness progresses, she starts to lose what matters most — her ability to communicate and her sense of self. There’s a pivotal moment in the movie when Alice clarifies her inner battle, I am not suffering. I am struggling to stay connected to who I once was.
There’s so much goodness going on –from the performances (Julianne Moore!), to the NYC setting (OK, so I’m biased towards films shot in my city), and the relationships — particularly between Alice and her youngest daughter, Lydia – the heart of the story.
But most notable, this movie elicits emotion. Gratitude, compassion, and empathy were bursting from my seams as I watched Alice spiral deeper into this being that bared no resemblance to her true self. The morsel of hope came via Lydia who served as the solid reminder that unconditional love, the kind without judgement and expectation, doesn’t need words to be communicated.
Checkout the trailer here.
Oh, and if you’re looking for another sob type of story, you may enjoy Wit…this time it’s cancer.
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Elysha,
What I have to reply about your post about Still Alice is a giant DITTO!!!!!
I’m working with a client who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. It’s been tough watching him decline. I can only imagine what it must be like to have known him for decades and to watch him slipping away. As a side note, did you know that a regular meditation practice seems to have a prophylactic effect, warding off diseases like Alzheimer’s? It appears that meditators retain more of their brain mass as they age, and the separate parts of the brain stay more in communication with one another.
Unconditional love.. so beautiful and not found from humans very often. Another good movie that takes you on a journey is “Boyhood.”
oh my, that movie sounds terribly heart breaking but beautiful.
Lorien, it’s so great that the science is now coming out to back up the benefits of this practice…maybe more will start sitting.
LOVED Boyhood, Michele. Such an honest look at family and growing up, and again — unconditional love.
Yes, I tend to fall for these types of movies…I love a good cry, Sara!
I watch very few movies – in the last yr, only to do a blog commentary. =) You sold me bc…guess what my bachelor’s was in – out of Univ of PA? Linguistics. And you know I grew up in NYC. About how old is the movie? I don’t wanna look it up – I don’t do spoilers. =)
D.
Hi D, this movie is out in the theaters now. The lead actress won this years Academy Award for her performance. Definitely worth taking time out from the blog to go see…especially if you studied linguistics!