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Ellen Burstyn stars as a widowed mother who suddenly finds herself having to start a new life in this engaging comedy/drama from Martin Scorsese. Burstyn plays Alice Hyatt, and if that name sounds familiar it’s because the TV show “Alice” was based on this film (though only Vic Tayback reprises his role in the series). The feature film begins inside Alice’s troubled home life, married to an abusive man (Billy Green Bush) she’s trying to get away from. But fortune intervenes, killing off her husband and forcing her to start a new life for her and her young son Tommy (Alfred Lutter). She eventually lands an honest living as a waitress at Mel’s Diner, where her colorful coworkers Flo (Diane Ladd) and Vera (Valerie Curtin) help her come out of her shell. B-story lines include a relationship with a farmer played by Kris Kristofferson, and a lovingly combative relationship with Tommy, who gets into trouble with a young hooligan played by Jodie Foster while dear old mom’s busy working.

This is possibly my favorite Martin Scorsese film because I don’t prefer the bravado and charades of gangster tough guys. Real people like Alice and her cohorts are far more interesting to me. Burstyn is always great, but it’s Diane Ladd who steals the show. Her no-nonsense, foul mouthed Flo is first funny as hell, then endearing as fuck when she decides to take Alice under her wing.

Academy Award: Best Actress (Ellen Burstyn)

Oscar Nominations: Best Supporting Actress (Diane Ladd), Best Original Screenplay