Alice's Playhouse
In Alice's Playhouse you will discover an exceptional collection of feature films adapted from some of the most celebrated plays ever written. Often featuring towering performances, outstanding direction and exceptional writing, this collection is a superb archive of contemporary drama masterfully transferred to the silver screen.
Filmizations of The Bard's work may be scrolled via the 'Shakespeare' sub-feature in green on the left, along with other notable playwrights who have been adapted for celluloid.
For adaptations of novels and short stories, check the 'Special Interest' link and click on 'Based on...'
Right: Marlon Brando and Vivien Leigh relax during the filming of Tennessee Williams' masterpiece, 'A Streetcar Named Desire'.
Alan Bennett - The Complete Talking Heads (2005)
Starring: Alan Bennett, Thora Hird, Patricia Routledge, Maggie Smith, Julie Walters
Alan Bennett's award-winning monologues, produced as two series for the BBC, are now available in their entirety on this 3 disc set. Delivered by the... Read more
Lackawanna Blues (2005)
7.9/10
Director: George C Wolfe
Starring: S Epatha Merkerson, Julie Benz, Robert A Bradley, Thomas Jefferson Byrd, Kathlee...
Based on a one-man show by Ruben Santiago-Hudson (played by Hill Harper) this is the inspiring story of Nanny Crosby (S. Epatha Merkerson) a big-heart... Read more
Mickybo and Me (2005)
7.3/10
Director: Terry Loane
Starring: John Jo McNeill, Niall Wright, Julie Walters, Adrian Dunbar
Set in the divided Belfast of 1970, this is the story of two young boys obsessed with 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid'. Based on Owen McCafferty'... Read more
The Exonerated (2005)
6.7/10
Director: Bob Balaban
Starring: Susan Sarandon, Danny Glover, Brian Dennehy, Delroy Lindo, Aidan Quinn
Adapted from the highly acclaimed off-Broadway play, this film tells six true stories of death row inmates proven innocent and released after serving... Read more
Closer ( Blu-ray ) (2004)
7.3/10
Director: Mike Nichols
Starring: Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Natalie Portman, Clive Owen
Emotional and sexual gamesmanship, as seen through the couplings and uncouplings of four people - photographer Julia Roberts, stripper Natalie Portman... Read more
Mango Kiss (2004)
4.7/10
Director: Sascha Rice
Starring: Daniele Ferraro, Michelle Wolff, Sally Kirkland, Dru Mouser, Tina Marie Murray
A stylish romantic comedy that finds butch lesbian Lou unexpectedly falling in love with her best friend, Sassafras. After taking a trip to San Franc... Read more
The Merchant of Venice (2004)
7.1/10
Director: Michael Radford
Starring: Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons, Joseph Fiennes, Lynn Collins, Zuleikha Robinson, Kris M...
Al Pacino takes the lead role of Shylock the moneylender in one of Shakespeare's most searing plays, with Jeremy Irons as the melancholy Antonio who o... Read more
Marie and Bruce (2004)
4.7/10
Director: Tom Cairns
Starring: Julianne Moore, Matthew Broderick, Bob Balaban, Tom Riis Farrell, Julie Hagerty,...
Marie (Julianne Moore) and Bruce (Matthew Broderick) are embarking on the end of their marriage. And it's not going to be pretty. Based on a play by... Read more
The Libertine (2004)
6.4/10
Director: Laurence Dunmore
Starring: Johnny Depp, Samantha Morton, John Malkovich, Rosamund Pike, Tom Hollander, Kell...
Johnny Depp plays the hedonistic writer John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester, close friend of Charles II (John Malkovich) and a notorius figure in 17th cent... Read more
Heights (2004)
5.5/10
Director: Chris Terrio
Starring: Glenn Close, Elizabeth Banks, James Marsden, Jesse Bradford, Eric Bogosian, Matt...
A smart ensemble drama revolving around 24 hours in the lives of five ambitious New Yorkers. Glenn Close is the link as a Broadway diva who's just fo... Read more