I, like many others, find coming-of-age films deeply resonant, as they provide a sense of belonging and capture something raw and human about the transition to adulthood. With the hundreds of stories this genre has explored, there’s an underappreciated element in those stories that tackle early adulthood. Everyone experiences coming-of-age at multiple stages, not just in their youth. With Mike Macera’s incredibly endearing and charming debut feature, Alice-Heart, we follow a young woman on the precipice of her most important chapter yet.
Set in Philadelphia, Alice-Heart centers on the titular protagonist (Lissa Carandang-Sweeney) in her senior year at Drexel University. An aspiring writer, she takes pride in bringing stories to life in meaningful ways. That all comes to a halt on her first day of the final semester when she expresses her public disdain for a professor (Gabriel Elmore) and is forced to drop out. This leaves Alice-Heart at a crossroads, grappling with setbacks in her academics and relationship with long-time boyfriend Lyman (Adam McAloine). With everything crumbling, she repeatedly asks herself: “What do I do now?”
Alice-Heart is stuck until she befriends her neighbor Tony (Tony McCall), who is in a similar boat. While Tony has found stability as a photographer, he’s still hung up on a recent breakup and is figuring out where he belongs. The two realize they’re exactly what each other needs at this stage in life, even if they view each other differently. But Alice-Heart is not about who she ends up with—it’s about what route of independence she’ll head towards.
Macera’s influences on Alice-Heart are apparent, particularly from the mumblecore films made famous by the likes of Noah Baumbach and Joe Swanberg. It’s presented in black-and-white—an homage to Baumbach’s Frances Ha (2013), Macera’s noted inspiration for the film. The similarities between Alice-Heart and Frances are sprinkled throughout, as both women were cunning, directionless, and unfiltered. Imagine being in their shoes, with everything you love stripped away as you are forced to fend for yourself.
What makes Alice-Heart compelling, despite some unlikable decisions, is that we see pieces of ourselves in her: the yearning to contribute, the desire to create something meaningful, and the commitment to show what we’ve worked for. We’ve all been there; even if her problems aren’t life-threatening, they still feel real. We’re all flawed. It’s human. And we are all victims of making mindless decisions while growing up.
Carandang-Sweeney radiates authenticity in her portrayal of Alice-Heart, beautifully balancing humor and poignancy. Every line and expression feels natural, like we’re watching a real person. Great protagonists in the coming-of-age genre are those whose arcs feel universal and whose growth feels genuine. The rest of the ensemble complements this. Everyone’s portrayals feel lived-in, whether it’s Tony, Lyman, or Alice-Heart’s outspoken, energetic colleague Joan (a scene-stealing Kelsey O’Keefe). Everyone brings their A-game, and it’s clear that the cast had the time of their life being part of something this special.
Alice-Heart, alongside its coming-of-age status, is also a love letter to the city of Philadelphia. The backdrop is crucial, and Macera lets the City of Brotherly Love act as a character of its own. Transitions between the sweeping skyline and quiet streets enhance the film’s reflective tone. It showcases the filmmakers’ affection for the city where they told their story.
Alice-Heart is about many things, from self-discovery to betrayal and companionship, but it’s more than a dramedy offering smiles and emotional pulls. It demonstrates how a well-developed character can flourish in an uncertain world, showing that life is just as much about accepting the unknown as it is about planning for the future.
Every day is a new chapter, and while no one knows what the next chapter brings, that’s one of the exciting things about life. You never know who you’re going to meet and where you’re going to end up. Growing up is a challenge, perhaps the hardest thing for someone to do. It is messy and full of obstacles, no matter how old you are. While Alice-Heart’s characters are in their early ‘20s, it feels very universal, and that’s why it’s a special film to many degrees. It makes you feel less alone and tells you to be kinder to yourself when searching for your purpose.
Alice-Heart is a must-see for anyone who enjoys films with a distinct feeling of place and personality. Keep Mike Macera, Lissa Carandang-Sweeney, and the entire Alice-Heart team on your radar; they all have wonderful careers ahead.
Review Courtesy of Bryan Sudfield
Feature Image from The Philadelphia Film Society