Can a magical herbalist help a Manhattan socialite find her true self?
In short: In Woody Allen's 1990 fantasy comedy Alice, a bored, wealthy homemaker seeks relief from a mysterious backache. She discovers that her malaise is not physical but existential, leading her on a surreal journey of self-discovery fueled by ancient, magical herbs that grant her invisibility and the power of flight.
Alice Tate, the protagonist of this 1990 film, lives a life defined by luxury, shopping, and social gossip in Manhattan. Married for 16 years to a wealthy man named Doug, she feels disconnected until a chance encounter with a jazz musician named Joe Ruffalo sparks a crisis of conscience. Seeking help for a psychosomatic backache, she visits Dr. Yang, an herbalist who provides a series of magical remedies. These herbs act as catalysts for her transformation, forcing her to confront the superficiality of her existence and the reality of her crumbling marriage.
The film, which draws inspiration from Federico Fellini's 1965 work Juliet of the Spirits and Lewis Carroll's 1865 classic Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, uses magical realism to explore Alice's internal state. Through the herbs, she gains the ability to become invisible, allowing her to spy on her husband's infidelity and witness the complex romantic lives of those around her. These experiences, combined with vivid dreams of her Catholic upbringing and a newfound desire to help others, eventually lead her to abandon her materialistic lifestyle. She ultimately finds purpose in volunteer work in Calcutta, inspired by her idol, Mother Teresa.
Production of the film was notoriously difficult. Woody Allen, who conceived the idea after receiving alternative treatment for an eye stye, obsessed over details, leading to numerous reshoots and significant stress that resulted in his hospitalization by the end of the shoot. The film, which served as the final project for actor Keye Luke, was a commercial disappointment, grossing only about $7.3 million against a $12 million budget. Despite its box office struggles, critics like Vincent Canby praised its blend of satire and magical realism, and it maintains a 71% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Alice (1990 film)
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