Sundance Film Festival 2022: Alice Fails To Deliver

movie
Written By Kristen Maldonado

Krystin Ver Linden makes her directorial debut at Sundance Film Festival 2022 with Alice.

Led by Keke Palmer, she plays Alice, a woman confined to slavery in 1800s Georgia. When she escapes the plantation, she learns it’s really 1973. Slavery has been abolished and she’s been free. With the help of former activist Frank (Common) and the newfound knowledge she’s learned about Black history, she sets off to reclaim her life and save her family.

With elements of historical slave drama and Blaxploitation revenge films, Alice is a film that feels at odds with itself. The first act doesn’t give Palmer much to work with, as she spends much of her time silent or screaming at her captor. When she finally escapes, she dives into 70s fashion, history books, and Blaxploitation films for empowerment. While this film has good intentions, it doesn’t deliver. The weakest link is the sloppy and confusing script. Alice never finds its stride and wastes Palmer’s talents.

Alice hits theaters on March 18. See Pop Culture Planet’s Best of the Fest, below:

Kristen Maldonado

Kristen Maldonado is an entertainment journalist, critic, and on-camera host. She is the founder of the outlet Pop Culture Planet and hosts its inclusion-focused video podcast of the same name. You can find her binge-watching your next favorite TV show, interviewing talent, and championing representation in all forms. She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic, a member of the Critics Choice Association, Latino Entertainment Journalists Association, and the Television Academy, and a 2x Shorty Award winner. She's also been featured on New York Live, NY1, The List TV, Den of Geek, Good Morning America, Insider, MTV, and Glamour.

http://www.youtube.com/kaymaldo
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