Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore1974

I was definitely surprised by this movie. Much like Boxcar Bertha, this very much feels like an aside in the Scorsese canon at least at this point. But unlike Boxcar Bertha, this movie is actually good. The story of a mother and son as they drive from New Mexico to Monterey, California, to find a new life. Much like who’s that knocking, this is a critique of toxic masculinity and patriarchal tendencies. A woman who has to learn to stand up for herself in her own way and in a realistic way for the time.  Every guy in her life sucks, from a lot to a little, and Kris Kristofferson just happens to be the best of them. But he still has violent tendencies. But you know you’ve got to be carefully taught. And men were taught, and many are still taught that violence is the answer and often the only answer to any situation.  But here’s what I really got out of the movie: you have to find your own Monterey. Monterey represents this dream for Alice. It’s where she grew up. And she thinks if she goes back, her life will fall into place and everything will work out. But life’s not that simple, and things can get in the way. I know that for sure. So sometimes you need to find Monterey where you are.  As I said before, I was surprised by this movie. 

1. For how good it is, and that I haven’t heard of it before, and
2. That it is a Scorsese film. 

Though having watched his earlier films, I can see the connection, but I’m impressed how well the New York guy can make a movie about a single mother from the Southwest. I’ll definitely watch this again and soon.  The Scorses-a-thon