I suppose this is Scorsese trying to find himself directing a family drama or a female drama, to see if this genre pleases him. I guess not. Because this is a Ellen Burstyn's film. And he never tried that kind of movie again, I think.

Great, low-key Scorsese.

The first 15-20 minutes are pretty lame (and the goofy little-girl thing was completely needless)...but then it starts to pick up quite a bit (after the man of the house kicks it). Burstyn gives a thoroughly winning performance (indeed, she literally won the coveted Trophy for that year), as does Ladd. Oh yeah, and Jodie Foster was...well, a boy. (That was one bratty kid Ellen had btw.) Many good lines, the best of which perhaps being: "I sing with my mouth, not my ass."

This is truly an american movie. It fills a gap between Douglas Sirk's melodramas and new hollywood cinetics. Already one of my favourites.

The movie is quite good at excavating the sudden energies, childishnesses, and surprises that lie buried in people, although these revelations too regularly appear in the form of histrionic rages. Generally, Scorsese cannot resist scrounging for laughs (precocious kids, wisecracking waitresses), and he at least gets hold of the laughs he goes after. It is less clear what he hopes to accomplish with the fidgety, nerve-racking camera movements, which match Bertolucci in exuberance and excess.

Thelma & Louise with Louise replaced by New Mexico's most annoying kid. I enjoyed it more than I like to admit, but I hope it stays Scorsese's only chick flick.

Ellen Burstyn does a fine job, delivering a performance that avoids most of the overly familiar stereotypes of the character archetype. Even though Alice and her son are clearly victims of harsh circumstances, the film doesn't get bogged down with victimization. In fact the film goes for the comedic more often than for the tragic, which makes what could've been a taxing viewing experience breezy and enjoyable. However it also makes the film feel a bit superficial and inconsequential.

I could take it or leave it. It's a nice enough little movie with a really good performance by Diane Ladd and a nice comedic touch (which unfortunately makes the film feel entirely superficial) but doesn't have a whole lot to offer and Alfred Lutter is really irritating.

At first I was really conscious of the camerawork. Really, PAINFULLY conscious of the camerawork. But it either settled or I got used to it, then I was able to enjoy the movie for the well acted, scripted, and directed piece that it is. Again, Scorsese's use of music baffles me; he's made documentaries on the subject, but I don't think he has any skill in that department. A film with lots of individuality. Number three so far from MS.

Most notable not as early Scorsese material, but for Ellen Burstyn's remarkable performance as a widow battling a neverending series of disappointments. Sounds like a heavy dramatic premise, but strangely enough there's more in the way of comedic charm than tragedy. This doesn't come off as insincere, though, and is mostly presented in Alice's relationship with her son. The ending is an awful cliche, but it doesn't completely undercut all of the film's admirable qualities.

84.500

Imperfect melodrama. The parts with the kids are probably best. That Scorsese's early "woman's picture" ran afoul of the current of the times is probably something in its favour.

Really great in every way. Maybe I'm overrating it a bit, but I loved everything about it. Ellen Burstyn is phenomenal. I absolutely loved the transition from Oz to Mott the Hoople. Good stuff. (Also lol at the guy who says Scorsese doesn't have skill in using music!)

A middle-aged woman, her troubled relationship with her son and other men. An efficient drama from Martin Scorsese, pure and simple.

It surprised me with how good it was, roping me in and keeping me interested throughout. The mother-son dynamic between Ellen Burstyn and Alfred Lutter was absolutely spot-on, the supporting performances were excellent, and the camera technique was intriguing without being intrusive. It had warmth without sentimentality. But then, right at the end, something terrible happened. The unholiest of movie clichés: the clapping scene.

A different face of Scorsese's work, what don't means it´s less than the others. Great characters (including the kids) and remembering that Jodie Foster was one of them...

Kind of like "Paris, Texas" except hilarious instead of somber. Parent/son relationship, set in the desert, and notable child acting.