Based on Lisa Genova's 2007 bestselling novel of the same name, 'Still Alice' is a saddening, but beautifully made film, that stays on your mind even after it concludes. Its A Well-Made Film with Strong Performances!

'Still Alice' Synopsis: Alice Howland, happily married with three grown children, is a renowned linguistics professor who starts to forget words. When she receives a devastating diagnosis, Alice and her family find their bonds tested.

'Still Alice' is about a women's journey coming to an abrupt end. Richard Glatzer & Wash Westmoreland's Adapted Screenplay is consistently engaging, although difficult to watch, at most times. The protagonist's journey with her family offers moments of pure love & sadness. You feel for the characters & particularly, for Alice. Glatzer & Westmoreland's Direction is under-stated, but impressive. Cinematography captures the bleakness, exceedingly well. Editing is just perfect.

Performance-Wise: Julianne Moore brings Alice to life, with a splendid performance. She becomes Alice & completes her tale, magnificently. Alec Baldwin, as Alice's supportive husband, redefines "control" in performance. He's restrained & patient all through. Kristen Stewart, as Alice's rebellious younger daughter, is natural. Kate Bosworth, as Alice's older daughter, is in true form, as well.

On the whole, 'Still Alice' is an experience, that demands to be felt. Two Thumbs up!

Alice Howland (Julianne Moore) is a renowned linguistics professor. She has just turned 50 and finds herself forgetting simple things. She's happily married to John (Alec Baldwin) with grown kids Lydia (Kristen Stewart),Anna Howland-Jones (Kate Bosworth) and Tom. Anna and her husband Charlie are trying to get pregnant. Eventually Alice's doctor diagnoses her with early onset Alzheimer's Disease.

This is a fine depiction of Alzheimer's performed by the compelling Julianne Moore. Kristen Stewart puts in a couple of good scenes. Both Bosworth and Baldwin are very solid. The movie needs something to elevate it. I like the section where Alice is desperately looking for her phone. The next morning they find it but John tells his daughter that it was a month ago. It puts the audience in Alice's perspective. The movie needs more of those moments. For example, Alice confuses Anna for her sister. It would be interesting to put in another actress as Anna and then put in Bosworth after somebody tells Alice that she's her daughter. It would also be interesting to cut up some of the scenes to create confusion just as it's experienced by Alice. That would add something special.

I know that a lot of the criticism is that this movie didn't get down and dirty enough. Alzheimers is a horrible thing for the survivors to deal with. Perhaps it can only truly by dealt with in documentary form. Julianne Moore is utterly amazing and anyone who says this film isn't well researched did not read about her approach. Yes, there are things that could have been shown to make it even more frightening. We could have seen specific bodily functions affected. We could have seen more irrationality and pain. But it needs to be accessible. I believe if we are watching a fictional account, this is very well done.