Alice in the Cities

West German writer Philip Winter realizes he has missed a critical deadline for an article about the United States. Despite having traveled extensively and accumulated many Polaroid photographs, he struggles to find the right words to express his experiences.

Philip attempts to secure a flight back to Munich but discovers that a strike by German airport ground crews has left him without options. Frustrated and eager to return home, his plans are further complicated by the ongoing circumstances.

In a turn of fate, Philip meets Lisa van Dam and her young daughter Alice, who are also trying to get back to Germany. Together, they manage to book tickets for a flight to Amsterdam, scheduled for the next day, creating a temporary bond of shared misfortune.

The day of their flight arrives, and Lisa leaves Alice with Philip while she confronts her unstable ex-boyfriend. She leaves behind a note instructing him to take Alice to Amsterdam, marking the start of a reluctant partnership.

While waiting for Lisa's return, Alice suggests they explore Amsterdam, having learned some Dutch during their previous stay. However, Philip's excitement quickly fades as he finds himself frustrated by the responsibilities of caring for a child on a budget.

At the airport, Philip waits for Lisa but is dismayed to learn she is not on the flight. In a moment of desperation, he considers leaving Alice behind and continuing his journey alone, highlighting his mounting frustration.

When Alice experiences distress and locks herself in a bathroom stall, Philip's empathy begins to kick in. Reflecting on Alice's mention of her grandmother in Germany, he proposes the idea of finding her family, hoping to ease their situation.

Philip and Alice embark on a bus ride to Wuppertal after the name interests Alice. However, after two days of searching, they receive more disappointment as Alice's grandmother is not found in the city, leading to frustration.

After trying yet failing to locate Alice's grandmother, Philip decides to drop her off at a police station. To his surprise, upon returning to his hotel, he learns that Alice has escaped and has now remembered her grandmother's address.

With renewed hope, Philip and Alice visit the location from the photo Alice carries, but once again, they face disappointment as the occupants know nothing of her grandmother. They vent their frustrations through playful banter while swimming.

As their funds dwindle in the Ruhr area, Philip contemplates reaching out to his parents for support. This hesitation reflects the deepening pressures of their financial situation and the reality of their journey.

While on a ferry, a policeman approaches Philip and announces that both Lisa and Alice's grandmother have been located. He ensures that Alice is placed on a train to Munich, reuniting her with her mother.

As Alice produces a 100-dollar bill to pay for Philip's train ticket to Munich, they board the train together. They reflect on their experiences while gazing out the window, hinting at a shared sense of hope for their futures.

On the train, Philip is determined to finish his article while Alice responds with a raised eyebrow, indicating uncertainty about her own plans. Their shared moment underscores the growth of their bond and the adventure they experienced together.