Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore

Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore is a 1974 American romantic comedy drama film directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Robert Getchell. The story follows a widow played by Ellen Burstyn as she travels with her preteen son across the Southwestern United States looking for a new start and a better life. The film also features many talented actors such as Kris Kristofferson, Diane Ladd, Jodie Foster, and Harvey Keitel in supporting roles.

When the film was shown in theaters on December 9, 1974, by Warner Bros., it became very popular with both critics and audiences. It earned $21 million, which was a lot of money at the time, compared to its budget of just $1.8 million. At the 47th Academy Awards, Ellen Burstyn won an award for Best Actress, and there were also nominations for Diane Ladd and Robert Getchell.

Because the film was loved by so many people, it was later turned into a television series called Alice. This show aired on CBS from 1976 to 1985 and became a favorite for many families to watch together.

Plot

Alice Hyatt's husband, Donald, is killed in a traffic accident while delivering Coca-Cola in Socorro, New Mexico. Alice decides to take her son, Tommy, to her childhood home in Monterey, California, where she hopes to restart her singing career.

Along the way, they stay in Phoenix, Arizona. Alice finds work as a lounge singer and meets Ben, a charming man who turns out to be married. After a scary encounter with Ben and his wife, Alice and Tommy leave quickly. They then move to Tucson, Arizona, where Alice works as a waitress. There, she meets David, a local rancher, and they begin to build a new life together.

Cast

The film features many talented actors. Ellen Burstyn plays Alice Hyatt, a widow who dreams of becoming a singer. A young girl named Mia Bendixsen plays Alice as an 8-year-old. Kris Kristofferson plays David, a kind man who becomes interested in Alice. Other actors include Diane Ladd as Flo, a waitress with a strong personality, and Jodie Foster as Audrey, a friend of Alice's son Tommy.

Some actors appear in small roles without credit. The director, Martin Scorsese, shows up briefly in the diner, and Laura Dern, the daughter of Diane Ladd, plays a little girl enjoying an ice cream cone.

Production

Ellen Burstyn was busy filming The Exorcist when Warner Bros. wanted her for another movie. She wanted to make a film from a woman's point of view, showing real-life experiences. Her agent found the script for Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, and she liked it. She chose Martin Scorsese to direct because she saw his exciting film Mean Streets.

Burstyn enjoyed working with Scorsese, calling it one of her best experiences. The film shows emotions, relationships, and people facing tough times. The role of Alice was first offered to Shirley MacLaine, but she turned it down. The film was mostly shot in Tucson, Arizona, with some scenes in Amado and Phoenix. A real diner named Mel's Diner appears in the movie. The soundtrack features songs by artists like Mott the Hoople, Elton John, and Dolly Parton.

Reception

Vincent Canby of The New York Times praised the film as a "fine, moving, frequently hilarious tale" and highlighted Ellen Burstyn's performance as one of the best in modern cinema. Other critics, like Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times, called it "one of the most perceptive, funny, occasionally painful portraits of an American woman I've seen."

While some critics enjoyed the film, others had mixed feelings. Judith Crist liked Burstyn's acting but felt the directing was too flashy. Pauline Kael of The New Yorker found the film enjoyable but noted some confusing parts. Overall, the film received many positive reviews, with an approval rating of 92% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Accolades

Television adaptation

Main article: Alice (American TV series)

The film inspired a sitcom called Alice, which aired on CBS from 1976 to 1985. Only one actor, Vic Tayback, returned to play the same character, Mel, though his diner was moved to Phoenix. Alfred Lutter played Tommy in the first episode but was replaced by Philip McKeon for the rest of the series. Diane Ladd joined later but played a new character named Belle. Linda Lavin took over the role of Alice because Ellen Burstyn did not want to work in television. Beth Howland played the character Vera in the series. The character Flo later got her own show called Flo.

Home media

Warner Home Video released the film on Region 1 DVD on August 17, 2004. It is in anamorphic widescreen with audio tracks in English and French and subtitles in English, French, and Spanish. Bonus features include commentary by the director, the main actress, and one of the actors, and a background look at the making of the film. The Criterion Collection is scheduled to release the film on Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD on July 14, 2026.