Alice

Alice

Year: 1990

Runtime: 106 min

Language: English

comedyromance

In 1973 Georgia, enslaved Alice desperately seeks freedom, but her harsh owner, Paul, prevents it. Following a violent incident, she flees into the unfamiliar landscape, finding a world surprisingly different from what she knows. She is rescued by Frank, a disillusioned activist, who introduces her to the deception behind her enslavement and the hope of Black liberation. Alice begins a journey of self-discovery and fights for a better future.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Alice (1990)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Alice (1990). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The film explores themes of self-discovery in a contemporary setting, addressing issues that are still relevant today such as marital dissatisfaction and personal happiness. It delves into the complexities of relationships, societal expectations, and the quest for meaning in one's life.

Location

Manhattan, Calcutta

Manhattan is a bustling urban center known for its vibrant culture, upscale shopping, and high-end living. It serves as the backdrop for Alice's superficial lifestyle. In contrast, Calcutta is a city in India recognized for its rich history and deep social issues, where Alice finds purpose and fulfillment working with Mother Teresa.

🏙️ City 🌏 Global

Last Updated: May 20, 2025 at 06:34

Main Characters – Alice (1990)

Meet the key characters of Alice (1990), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Alice Tate

Alice is an upper-class homemaker caught in a life of luxury yet plagued by inner turmoil. She embarks on a journey of self-discovery that challenges her superficial values and ultimately leads her to seek a meaningful existence. Throughout the film, her character evolves from a passive participant in her life to an empowered woman making difficult choices.

👩‍👧‍👦 Mother 💼 Homemaker ❤️ Lover

Joe Ruffalo

Joe is a handsome jazz musician who becomes the object of Alice's affections. He embodies freedom and artistic passion, contrasting sharply with Alice's mundane existence. His character serves as a catalyst for Alice's awakening, prompting her to challenge her life's choices and confront her feelings about love and fidelity.

🎷 Musician ❤️ Love Interest

Doug Tate

Doug is Alice's wealthy husband, representing the materialistic lifestyle she initially clings to. His infidelities reveal the cracks in their marriage, pushing Alice to reevaluate their relationship. Doug's character illustrates the emptiness of superficial values and the challenges of maintaining authenticity in a modern marriage.

💼 Husband 😔 Betrayer

Dr. Yang

Dr. Yang serves as the herbalist and hypnotherapist who guides Alice through her self-exploration. His use of ancient remedies symbolizes the intersection of traditional wisdom and modern dilemmas. Dr. Yang's character is pivotal in helping Alice confront her desires and the consequences of her choices.

🧘‍♂️ Healer 🧙‍♂️ Mentor

Last Updated: May 20, 2025 at 06:34

Major Themes – Alice (1990)

Explore the central themes of Alice (1990), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Love and Betrayal

Alice navigates the emotional turmoil of love and betrayal, both in her marriage and her romantic interest in Joe. The film examines how relationships can be superficial and the impact of infidelity on personal values. Ultimately, it explores her journey towards genuine love and self-acceptance.

🌱 Self-Discovery

Alice's journey is one of self-discovery as she grapples with her identity beyond material wealth. Through hypnosis and her experiences with Joe, she confronts her past and begins to understand what truly brings her joy. This theme highlights the importance of personal growth and finding purpose in life.

🙏 Spiritual Awakening

The film features Alice's spiritual awakening, particularly through her admiration for Mother Teresa. It emphasizes the idea of helping others and finding deeper meaning in life beyond materialism. Alice's journey to Calcutta symbolizes her transformation and commitment to a life of service and compassion.

Last Updated: May 20, 2025 at 06:34

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies with Magical Awakenings like Alice

Stories where a touch of magic unlocks a new path and a truer self.If you liked the magical realism and transformative journey in Alice, explore more movies like it. These films feature characters who use a touch of fantasy—like invisibility or hypnosis—to break free from their routines and embark on a quest for self-discovery, blending whimsy with heartfelt emotion.

whimsicaldreamlikeintrospectivemagicalhopefulromanticspiritualcomical

Narrative Summary

The narrative often begins with a protagonist in a state of stagnation or unhappiness. The introduction of a supernatural aid or magical event acts as a catalyst, granting them temporary freedom or a new ability. This power is used to explore the world and themselves, leading to confrontations with their old life and ultimately a decision to pursue a new, more authentic path, typically ending on a hopeful note.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared use of whimsical, low-stakes magic as a narrative device for personal liberation. They blend a dreamlike tone with themes of introspection and romantic rediscovery, creating a unique vibe that is both fanciful and emotionally resonant without being overly heavy.

Movies about Midlife Reinvention like Alice

Character-driven stories of personal reinvention sparked by life's disruptions.For viewers who enjoyed Alice's story of a woman reshaping her life, this list features similar movies about midlife transformation. These character-driven dramas and comedies explore self-discovery, marital dissatisfaction, and romantic new beginnings with a blend of humor and heart.

introspectivemelancholiccomicalromantichopefulself-discoverymidlife crisissatirical

Narrative Summary

The plot follows a protagonist who has achieved societal success but feels a deep sense of emptiness. A disruptive event shatters their routine, prompting a journey away from their old life. They encounter new people and ideas that challenge their worldview, leading to a period of experimentation, confusion, and ultimately, a conscious choice to rebuild their life around newfound values and passions, often involving a new romantic connection.

Why These Movies?

These movies share a focus on the specific emotional arc of midlife awakening. They balance the melancholy of lost time with the excitement of new possibilities, using a variable pace to alternate between reflective depth and comedic levity. The central theme is the courageous pursuit of authenticity after a period of comfort or complacency.

Unlock the Full Story of Alice

Don't stop at just watching — explore Alice in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Alice is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Alice Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Alice, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Alice Summary

Alice Timeline

Track the full timeline of Alice with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Alice Timeline

Alice Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Alice that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Alice Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Alice

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Alice: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Alice