It is 1947, and Alice, an 8-year-old girl, dreams of becoming a singer while growing up on a farm near Monterey, California. The film opens with a vibrant ruby red backdrop, deliberately echoing the theatrical charm of classic cinema, hinting at a satire of beloved films like Gone With the Wind and The Wizard of Oz.
Fast forward to 1974, during a sweltering summer in Soccoro, New Mexico, where the soundtrack features Mott the Hoople's "All the Way From Memphis." In a modest blue-collar home, Alice is depicted as a bright and witty woman, hilariously engaging with her son while struggling with a bored, uncommunicative husband who drives a Coca-Cola truck. This husband often berates her for their son’s mischievous behavior.
Everything changes when Alice receives tragic news about her husband dying in a vehicular accident at work. In the wake of this heartache, she confronts her aspirations, honing her singing and piano skills while preparing to sell their household belongings and moving out of their home. With her son, Tommy, she sets out for Monterey, stopping first in Phoenix. Here, Alice endeavors to find work singing in a bar. After a distressing encounter with the owner, she persists and finally secures a job at another bar.
It’s during this time that she meets the charming Ben. Although Tommy is vocal about his discomfort with their situation, Alice remains resolute about their new life. However, drama ensues when a stranger visits their motel, revealing herself as Ben's wife. A confrontation occurs, leading to Alice and Tommy quickly vacating the scene for their safety.
Traveling further, they find themselves at a motel in Tucson, where Alice begins her new job as a waitress at Mel and Ruby's Cafe, the inspiration for the hit TV series Alice. This diner is a whirlwind of activity; Alice faces the chaos head-on as she interacts with a colorful cast of characters, including the short-tempered owner Mel, the brash and witty Flo, and the eccentric Vera. Throughout this challenging environment, Flo introduces Alice to a group of customers, making inappropriate remarks that Alice finds offensive.
As Alice navigates her life, she grows fond of David, a regular customer who is kind and supportive. Meanwhile, Tommy forms a friendship with an adventurous girl named Audrey, who shares his enthusiasm for music.
Drama at the diner escalates when Flo erupts at Mel during a hectic lunch rush, and Alice can’t help but chuckle at the chaos around her, leading to a blossoming friendship with Flo. They bond over shared experiences of single parenthood and financial woes, revealing the layers beneath their tough exteriors.
Alice’s relationship with David progresses, and her son begins to accept him as a father figure. However, tensions arise at David's ranch during Tommy's birthday celebration when David disciplines him, causing Alice to confront both men about her son’s misbehavior. A heart-wrenching altercation leads Alice to drop Tommy off by the roadside out of frustration.
Just when she thought things couldn’t get any worse, Alice receives alarming news that Tommy has been picked up for underage drinking. Struggling with her responsibilities, she finds herself overwhelmed at work, prompting Flo to intervene. A heartfelt conversation triggers self-reflection for Alice, who realizes her dependency on men has been a recurring theme in her life.
In the end, Alice and David manage to reconcile their differences in public, and Tommy expresses that he is okay with not heading to Monterey after all. As they stroll past a hotel branded with the Monterey name, there is a hint of acceptance and newfound hope for their future together.
