Your Entertainment Ticket.net

ALICE’S HOUSE (A CASA DE ALICE)

Brazil (2007); Portuguese, with English Subtitles

Running Time: 92 min; Unrated

THREE OUT OF FIVE STARS

Reviewed by Denise Castillón

A HOME CROWDED WITH FAMILY SECRETS

A subtle film about a woman, trapped by her everyday life, attempts to escape her deceitful family’s disregard by betraying them.

Alice and her elderly mother live under the control of Alice’s husband, and her three grown sons in a cramp apartment outside of San Paolo, Brazil. Alice works long hours as a manicurist at a salon, while her mother runs the home, including all the cooking, cleaning and laundry. The women may overlook the men’s deceptions, ranging from infidelity to thievery; because they have secrets of there own.

After reuniting with her childhood flame, who’s now rich, but married, Alice considers an affair to flee her dead marriage.

For her poignant portrayal of Alice, Carla Ribas won multiple awards for best actress. Exceptional performances also delivered by Zécarlos Machado as the callous husband, and Berta Zemel as the neglected grandmother.

Also starring, Vinicius Zinn, Ricardo Vilaça, Felipe Massuia, Renata Zhaneta and Luciano Quirino.

Directed by Chico Teixeira. Screenplay written by Chico Teixeira, Julio Pessoa, Sabina Anzuategui and Marcelo Gomes. Produced by Patrick Leblanc and Zita Carvalhosa.

Released by FiGa Films.

Upcoming releases:

July 18th 2008 - FLORIDA

Miami - Cosford Cinema

Palm Beach Gardens - BMC-PGA Cinema 6

July 25th 2008 – NEW YORK

Ithaca - Cornell Cinema