There were three or four main reasons for wanting to watch 'Alice Adams'. Have liked some of George Stevens' other films, 'A Place in the Sun' and 'Shane' being primary examples. Katharine Hepburn had a lot of great to masterful performances under her belt whether in comedy, romance or drama. The source material from memory (it has been some years) is a hugely compelling read. Then there is my love of classic film and some real talent in the cast.
'Alice Adams' to me was a good film and one of Stevens' first hits. He did go on to do much better films since though, including the above, and 'Alice Adams' had real potential actually to be a great film. Sadly a few not so minor flaws hinder it. There are a lot of great things though and much to recommend, plus there are a lot of recognisable elements from the source material (despite it being years since reading a lot of parts stick out vividly and brought out here).
Do agree with those that say that Arthur throughout is a rather sketchy and doesn't really develop or interest, with motivations not always clear as well. The ending also felt very tacked on and too neat, noticed this a lot in films in the 1930s, including in those pre-code and it always is at odds with what comes before.
It could have tightened up in the early portions too pace-wise and gotten to the point quicker.
Even though her performance may not be for all tastes, Hepburn however to me is magnificent. She gives it absolutely everything and embodies pretty much every emotion you can think of and quite powerfully. Although his character is bland, Fred MacMurray does his best and is appropriately earnest and amiable. Charley Grapewin gives a nuanced turn in the other fully fleshed out role of 'Alice Adams' other than the titular character herself. Hattie McDaniel had a real knack for scene stealing, and she does so here in one particularly great scene (didn't like how her character is treated though, pretty demeaning). Fred Stone really comes to life in the latter half of the film, he overdid it at first but his honesty shone through later. Ann Shoemaker is very good and also gives one of the better performances.
Stevens directs impeccably, his mood setting was always impressive and is here, it's always involving and coherent and creates some lovely shots. 'Alice Adams' is well made visually, especially the photography which has a lot of style and elegance that has more than enough variation and expansiveness to avoid it from being claustrophobic or static. Fluid editing too. The music fits the atmosphere well and doesn't get too much in use or tone. The script is taut enough, intelligent without being too flowery and with no broadness or over-sentiment. And the story mostly engages and doesn't feel tedious, had no issue following it either. The most lauded scene is the dinner table scene, watching it it is not hard to see why.
Overall, impressive in a lot of areas but could have been better. 7/10
'Alice Adams' to me was a good film and one of Stevens' first hits. He did go on to do much better films since though, including the above, and 'Alice Adams' had real potential actually to be a great film. Sadly a few not so minor flaws hinder it. There are a lot of great things though and much to recommend, plus there are a lot of recognisable elements from the source material (despite it being years since reading a lot of parts stick out vividly and brought out here).
Do agree with those that say that Arthur throughout is a rather sketchy and doesn't really develop or interest, with motivations not always clear as well. The ending also felt very tacked on and too neat, noticed this a lot in films in the 1930s, including in those pre-code and it always is at odds with what comes before.
It could have tightened up in the early portions too pace-wise and gotten to the point quicker.
Even though her performance may not be for all tastes, Hepburn however to me is magnificent. She gives it absolutely everything and embodies pretty much every emotion you can think of and quite powerfully. Although his character is bland, Fred MacMurray does his best and is appropriately earnest and amiable. Charley Grapewin gives a nuanced turn in the other fully fleshed out role of 'Alice Adams' other than the titular character herself. Hattie McDaniel had a real knack for scene stealing, and she does so here in one particularly great scene (didn't like how her character is treated though, pretty demeaning). Fred Stone really comes to life in the latter half of the film, he overdid it at first but his honesty shone through later. Ann Shoemaker is very good and also gives one of the better performances.
Stevens directs impeccably, his mood setting was always impressive and is here, it's always involving and coherent and creates some lovely shots. 'Alice Adams' is well made visually, especially the photography which has a lot of style and elegance that has more than enough variation and expansiveness to avoid it from being claustrophobic or static. Fluid editing too. The music fits the atmosphere well and doesn't get too much in use or tone. The script is taut enough, intelligent without being too flowery and with no broadness or over-sentiment. And the story mostly engages and doesn't feel tedious, had no issue following it either. The most lauded scene is the dinner table scene, watching it it is not hard to see why.
Overall, impressive in a lot of areas but could have been better. 7/10