Still Alice

In Hollywood, Alzheimer's conveniently tends to afflict the comfortably off or brilliantly academic, but in Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland's otherwise rather coy adaptation of neuroscientist Lisa Genova's novel, Julianne Moore's Columbia University linguistics professor is diagnosed with the rare, early-onset strain. "With people who have a higher level of education, things can go faster," explains her doctor. Whether losing her thread mid-lecture or forgetting where she is while jogging, the early premonitions are effectively and chillingly staged. But while Moore's Oscar- and Bafta-winning performance is subtle, dignified and intelligent, Alec Baldwin has less to conjure with as her research physician husband - a rock who disappears into his work - and their adult children (Kate Bosworth, Hunter Parrish, Kristen Stewart) are mere cut-outs. The bombshell that Mom's Alzheimer's is hereditary is brushed aside so that Moore can reclaim centre stage. She almost carries the film beyond disease-of-the-week blandness, but both Sarah Polley's Away from Her and Michael Haneke's Amour mined deeper and more surprising material from the familial fallout.