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 – Alice (1990)

Trace every key event in Alice (1990) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Life of Luxury

Alice Tate enjoys a life of upper-class comfort in Manhattan, spending her days shopping, receiving beauty treatments, and socializing with friends. This luxurious lifestyle, however, masks deeper issues in her marriage.

Present Day Manhattan
2

Encounter with Joe

Alice meets Joe Ruffalo, a handsome jazz musician, and feels an inexplicable attraction towards him. This encounter sets off a chain of emotions that challenges her views on love and fidelity.

3

Catholic Guilt

Struggling with her attraction to Joe, Alice experiences Catholic guilt, which manifests as a backache. This inner conflict leads her to seek help from Dr. Yang, an Asian herbalist.

4

Hypnosis Revelations

Under hypnosis with Dr. Yang, Alice uncovers the truth about her marriage with Doug, realizing her initial attraction was based on superficial qualities. She also admits her feelings for Joe during the session.

Dr. Yang's Office
5

Acting on Feelings

Dr. Yang provides Alice with ancient herbs that encourage her to pursue her feelings for Joe. Excited about their upcoming meeting, Alice is soon appalled when the effects of the herbs wear off.

6

Invisibility Herb

Alice receives a new herbal remedy that turns her invisible. She uses this power to spy on Joe, discovering his intimate encounter with his ex-wife Vicki, which leaves her feeling relieved she didn’t meet him.

Vicki's Office
7

Ghostly Advice

Alice receives guidance from the ghost of her first lover, Ed, who encourages her to explore her relationship with Joe further. This prompts them to meet under the guise of their children having a play-date.

8

Dreams and Realizations

After feeling overwhelmed by guilt, Alice returns to Dr. Yang and falls asleep during a session. She dreams about her upbringing and realizes she has strayed from her values and goals in her materialistic life.

Dr. Yang's Office
9

Fundraising Night

At a fundraising event for Mother Teresa, Alice experiences another epiphany about her life and her feelings for Joe solidify when they sleep together for the first time afterward.

Fundraising Event
10

Friend Gossip

Alice shares her invisibility herbs with Joe. While invisible, she overhears her friends discussing her relationship with Joe, and learns that Doug has been unfaithful as well.

11

Confrontation

Alice's invisibility wears off at an office party where she sees Doug kissing a colleague. Heartbroken, she confronts Doug about his infidelity and decides it's time to end their marriage.

Doug's Office Party
12

Final Decision

After hearing from Dr. Yang that she can create a love potion, Alice must decide between Joe and Doug. She seeks advice from her sister Dorothy, but chaos ensues at a Christmas party.

Dorothy's Christmas Party
13

New Beginnings

Alice tells Doug that their marriage is over and expresses her desire to work with Mother Teresa in Calcutta. Doug doubts her decision, but Alice is determined to pursue a more meaningful life.

Home
14

Journey to Calcutta

Alice travels to Calcutta, where she finally meets Mother Teresa, an experience that profoundly changes her. This journey marks a significant turning point in her quest for purpose.

Calcutta
15

A New Life

Upon returning to New York, Alice embraces her new life in a modest apartment while raising her children alone. She dedicates her time to volunteer work, having left her luxurious past behind.

New York

Last Updated: May 21, 2025 at 07:30

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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.

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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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Alice

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Alice. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Alice

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