Alice in the Cities
A blocked German journalist and an unexpectedly entrusted child find companionship and direction while crossing cities between America and Europe.
Overview
A journey across Europe reveals the bonds of friendship and the search for family.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- melancholic
- intimate
- wistful
- quiet evening
- reflective weekend
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as a distinctive and emotionally resonant road movie, praising its photography, child performance, and reflections on cultural exhaustion and connection.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Philip and Alice move through New York and European cities while their journey gradually reshapes Philip's blocked sense of self.
Philip's polaroid camera and his attempts to capture American and European landscapes emphasize the gap between images and lived experience.
Philip's article about America, his return to Germany, and the film's movement between American and European spaces connect personal exhaustion to cultural estrangement.
When Alice's mother leaves her in Philip's care, the journalist must assume unexpected responsibility and develop an intimate friendship with the child.
Films like Alice in the Cities, and why
Kings of the Road
shared contemplative road movie structure, child adult friendship, and melancholic reflections on identity and place
Wrong Move
shared Wim Wenders authorship, drifting characters, black and white imagery, and emotionally restrained travel narrative
Paris, Texas
shared intimate road movie form, cross-cultural displacement, and quiet exploration of alienation and human connection
The Journey of August King
shared child adult relationship, travel across Europe, and gentle bittersweet coming of age atmosphere
Movie Details
- Director
- Wim Wenders
- Release Date
- 1974-05-17
- Runtime
- 110 min
- Rating
- 7.7 / 10 (363)
Cast
- Rüdiger Vogler
- Yella Rottländer
- Lisa Kreuzer
- Edda Köchl
- Ernest Boehm
- Sam Presti
- Lois Moran
- Didi Petrikat
- Hans Hirschmüller
- Sibylle Baier
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Criterion Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Alice in the Cities about?
- A blocked German journalist and an unexpectedly entrusted child find companionship and direction while crossing cities between America and Europe.
- What is Alice in the Cities like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Alice in the Cities as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Alice in the Cities violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Alice in the Cities.
- What did critics think of Alice in the Cities?
- Critics broadly regard the film as a distinctive and emotionally resonant road movie, praising its photography, child performance, and reflections on cultural exhaustion and connection.
- Which films are like Alice in the Cities?
- Films with a similar feel include Kings of the Road, Wrong Move, Paris, Texas, and The Journey of August King.
- How long is Alice in the Cities?
- Alice in the Cities runs 110 minutes.
- Where can I watch Alice in the Cities?
- In United States, Alice in the Cities streams on Criterion Channel.
