Debuting at the Slamdance film festival in LA, and collecting awards en route to its East Coast premiere, Alice-Heart is a mumblecore coming of age film directed by Mike Macera. The Philadelphia set dramatic comedy is the debut feature film for Macera along with most of his crew. The movie is a black and white heart-filled story with shades of Frances Ha – containing a protagonist who is a bit more cunning than Frances, but just as directionless.
Experiencing film school as a young adult in the 2020s, Director Mike Macera creates a main character very dear to his heart. Heavily inspired by the Philadelphia-based director himself, Alice-Heart (yes – that is her first name), is an aspiring writer at Drexel University. However, on her first day of her final semester, she calls an unlikeable professor an asshole and drops out of school. Now that her lack of direction is on full display, she drifts through both life and relationships, trying to find something to hold onto, without compromising her comfort.
The film speaks volumes about the young adult struggle of trying to contribute to the world, while also worrying about how to survive on your own. The balance between big picture and small personal worries is a defining feature of this freshly adult period – one that Alice-Heart knows all too well. She wants to focus on creating something meaningful, something bigger than herself, but she gets continuously caught up in the day-to-day woes of trying to support herself and maintain relationships instead. Her problems aren’t necessarily dire or life-threatening, but that doesn’t mean they are any less real. The creators themselves even called the movie a “privileged Gen Z film”, and it very much is. But beneath the safety net and parent’s money, is an existential anxiety that’s universal.
Lissa Carandang-Sweeney provides the titular character with an unpredictable authenticity. While Alice makes some questionable decisions throughout the film, the subtlety in her facial expressions and vulnerability in Carandang-Sweeney’s line delivery imbue the character with a certain charm that makes her personal growth feel both genuine and earned. The rest of the cast complements this with performances that feel lived in and real. The rawness gives the whole film a certain enchanting personality. The film offers more laughs than it feels like it should, simply because all the characters feel like real people with real relationships and a real sense of warmth. Even the most unlikeable characters in the movie still have some redeeming qualities because they are simply being portrayed as actual people. With witty writing, the film effortlessly balances humor and heartfelt charm.
Philadelphia itself becomes a quiet character in the film with its urban landscapes perfectly fitting into the black and white aesthetic. The transition shots between scenes – whether it’s a sweeping view of the skyline or quiet neighborhood streets – provide a thoughtful setting that enhances the film’s reflective style. The backdrop adds visual poetry without ever feeling staged. It gives the film a beautiful, yet gritty, atmosphere that matches with Alice’s journey.
Overall, Alice-Heart is a sincere and engaging indie debut that feels both timely and timeless. Its blend of mumblecore naturalism and heartfelt charm captures the uncertain, messy reality of early adulthood. Director Mike Macera, Lissa Carandang-Sweeney, and the crew know how to find meaning in the small moments and imperfect lives of their characters. For anyone who appreciates thoughtful, character driven films with a distinct sense of place and personality, Alice-Heart is a must watch.
