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Ellen Burstyn (The Exorcist, Requiem for a Dream) stars as a widowed mother who suddenly finds herself having to start a new life in this engaging comedy/drama from Martin Scorsese that became a popular TV sitcom (Alice). The feature film begins inside Alice’s somewhat chaotic home life, where she’s given up her dream of being a singer to serve her abusive husband (Billy Green Bush) and precocious young son, Tommy (Alfred Lutter). After fate intervenes, she and Tommy pack up and leave town, living in hotels and working odd jobs to earn their way to Alice’s hometown of Monterey. After narrowly avoiding a psychotic new boyfriend (Harvey Keitel) in Phoenix, they land in Tucson. Alice becomes a waitress at Mel’s Diner, where her colorful coworkers Flo (Diane Ladd) and Vera (Valerie Curtin) help her come out of her shell. She strikes up a new relationship with a farmer played by Kris Kristofferson, but will be be another controlling brute? Or will he be the first man to recognize Alice’s independence and ambitions?

Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore may seem an odd choice of material for Scorsese (Taxi Driver, Goodfellas), but his sensibilities turn what could have been a standard romantic comedy into something more grounded and compelling. Burstyn gives one of her finest performances as a woman caught between repressive, traditional gender norms and the increased freedom of the late 20th century’s ‘new woman’. Her warm and witty banter with Tommy sustain the film through its episodic first half until the script hits its stride at the mid-point. The love story between Burstyn and Kristofferson is handled very well and believably — but it’s far less impactful than the camaraderie among the women at Mel’s Diner. Diane Ladd is marvelous as the no-nonsense, fowl-mouthed Flo. When she takes Alice under her wing, their relationship becomes the best part of the movie, so much that I wish they had a little more screen time together. (Both actresses were Oscar nominated.)

Perhaps the most remarkable thing about this movie is how breezy and genuine it feels. The characters and the story, despite a happy ending, don’t pander to convention or wallow in any sentimentality. Alice’s relationships with her lovers, son, and co-workers all feel real, nuanced, and engaging. In some ways, it’s a film about how the people in our lives can rescue us from an otherwise doomed trajectory. We should all be so lucky as Alice.

With terrific film editing by Marcia Lucas (Star Wars, Taxi Driver) and a memorable juvenile performance from future Oscar-winner Jodie Foster as a new friend and bad influence to Tommy. Vic Tayback, who plays Mel, would be the only actor to reprise his role on the TV series, though Diane Ladd would join seasons four and five as a new character.

Academy Award: Best Actress (Ellen Burstyn)

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