‘Alyce’ Sees Red

Hell hath no fury like the scorn of a woman – especially if that woman is slowly going insane with guilt and hallucinatory narcotics.  Such is the tale of Alyce, an introverted woman driven to the edge after the accidental death of her best friend.  Due to her involvement in the tragedy she is incapable of grieving in a healthy manner, and instead descends into a violent life of drugs, alcohol, and complicated sexual relationships.  Despite the heavy content, Alyce uses its dark subject matter to inspire a black comedy atmosphere – a tone which becomes especially useful once Alyce really loses it and starts taking her rage out on those who have taken advantage of her desperate state.  It’s bloody, it’s depraved, and it’s an intense psychological ride not for the squeamish.  In the end, Alyce’s conflict will challenge both your sense of humour and your gag reflex.

Two aspects of this film stand out to me in particular.  The first is the film’s use of the colour red.  Alyce inhabits a world of fiery shadows – the bar she frequents and the streets she walks are tinted musty reds, and when the frame isn’t cast in scarlet, the mise-en-scéne is punctuated by red wardrobe and set pieces.  The dialogue also acts as a vessel for the theme and is flecked with allusions to crimson items like pinot noir and red velvet cake.  The use of the colour makes inference to the impending violence and growing state of emergency while complimenting the relatively sparse gruesome imagery in the film’s first half.  Alyce takes its time in revealing its gorey side, but it is a wait made easier by the metaphoric palette design.

Secondly, the script is well-written and brimming with original, memorable dialogue.  The paranoid spiels spouted off by Alyce’s despicable drug dealer, Rex, during their transaction conversations feel especially Tarantino-esque, and her best friend Carroll (before her demise) is a wealth of witty one-liners and charm.  Of course, the dialogue dwindles once the blood and guts arrive, but some would argue that actions speak louder than words anyway…

Alyce will see it’s world premiere Saturday, September 24th at The Plaza in Kensington at 11:30 PM, with an encore presentation occurring Monday, September 26th at The Plaza at 5:00 PM.  Get your tickets here!

–Erin Fox