Academy Award nominee Anna Kendrick delivers another strong performance in Alice, Darling from Lionsgate. Kendrick portrays the titular character; a woman pushed to the breaking point by her psychologically abusive boyfriend, Simon (Charlie Carrick). Mary Nighy makes her directorial debut with the film while Alanna Francis pens the screenplay.
While on vacation with two of her close girlfriends, Sophie (Wunmi Mosaku) and Tess (Kanlehtillo Horn), Alice rediscovers the essence of herself and gains some much-needed perspective. Slowly, she starts to fray the cords of codependency that bind her. The time has come for Alice to leave Simon’s vengeance, as inevitable as it is shattering – and, once unleashed, it tests Alice’s strength, courage, and the bonds of her deep-rooted friendships.
Clocking in under ninety minutes, Alice, Darling explores the dynamics of an abusive relationship when the abuser is also a narcist. When we first meet Alice, it’s clear she’s in a fragile state but is making a happy appearance. Simon is so in control of Alice’s life that she has to lie to her besties to go on vacation.
One of the things I want to commend the creative team for is the handling of the abuse. The filmmakers avoid overdoing the abuse for shock value. Instead, they focus on the red flags Alice’s friends see in her relationship. Kendrick goes through a wave of emotions throughout the film, allowing us to identify with her character truly and why she chooses to stay with the tool known as Simon. In the role of Simon, Charlie Carrick gives the character a vibe that avoids a cartoonish villain and treats him as someone entitled. Wunmi Mosaku and Kanlehtillo Horn also deliver solid supporting work as Alice’s friends.
There is a subplot in the movie that doesn’t gel with the rest. I understand the filmmakers were going for a compare-and-contrast vibe, but it didn’t work. Additionally, potential viewers should know if they decide to give Alice, Darling a view, the film is languid and dialogue-driven. That said, Anna Kendrick delivers a career-best performance, and in a less crowded year, I’m sure there would be awards talks.
Final Grade: B
Alice, Darling is showing in limited AMC theaters now.
Seth Rogen continues his successful relationship with Apple TV in his latest comedic series, “The Studio.” Rogen and his longtime collaborator, Evan Goldberg, direct all ten episodes and write three. Peter Huyck, Alex Gregory, and Frida Perez write the remaining episodes.
Director Geremy Jasper attempts to modernize the rock opera genre in his sophomore film, “O’Dessa,” available on Hulu. Jasper also pens the film’s screenplay. Rising actress Sadie Sink portrays the titular character, a farm girl searching to recover a cherished family heirloom. She travels to a strange and dangerous city, where she meets her one true love, Euri Dervish (Kelvin Harrison Jr.). To save his soul, she must put the power of destiny to the ultimate test.
Academy Award nominee Peter Craig collaborates with fellow nominee Ridley Scott to adapt Dennis Tafoya’s novel Dope Thief for television. Airing on Apple TV, this eight-episode series stars Oscar nominee Brian Tyree Henry in the lead role and also features Wagner Moura, Marin Ireland, Kate Mulgrew, Nesta Cooper, Amir Arison, and Ving Rhames.