Chelsea Alexandra
Philadelphia’s film scene is on the rise. Every year, more filmmakers, writers, and cinephiles are carving out space for themselves, building a creative community. The Philadelphia Film Festival has become a beating heart of the city’s film culture. Every year, it turns Philadelphia into a gathering place for movie lovers of all kinds. For many local filmmakers, the Philadelphia Film Festival marks a milestone. It’s the moment their first feature finally lights up a big screen in front of a hometown audience. Mike Macera’s Alice-Heart fits perfectly within this moment.
It is a coming-of-age story told through a lens that feels uniquely Philly. The genre itself is one of the most accessible because it speaks to something we all share, the awkward, uncertain process of becoming ourselves. And through its love for both its city and its characters, Alice-Heart captures exactly why Philadelphia’s growing film community matters so much. It’s heartfelt, it’s funny, and it’s everything that reminds you why you fell in love with movies in the first place. When Alice-Heart had its premiere during this year’s fest, you could feel the pride and excitement radiating through the room.Â
Alice-Heart (Lissa Carandang-Sweeney) is an aimless college student in Philadelphia who dreams of becoming a writer. But in her final semester, her world is quietly falling apart. It starts with her dropping out of college just before graduation, her mother cutting her off financially, and her partner suddenly walking away. Left scrambling for work and stability, Alice-Heart faces overdue rent, bleak job prospects, and a creeping sense of self-doubt.
In the midst of her unraveling, she finds an unexpected ally in Tony (Tony McCall), a self-sufficient freelance photographer who encourages her to keep writing, stay connected, and take herself seriously. Shot in intimate black and white and grounded by raw, lived-in performances, Alice-Heart captures that liminal stretch between believing we have it all figured out and realizing we don’t have a clue how the world actually works.
Carandang-Sweeney delivers a truly standout performance as Alice-Heart, blending vulnerability, humor, and a restless energy that makes the character feel alive. She captures the confusion and vulnerability of navigating early adulthood while infusing the role with wit and a magnetic presence. It is as if we’re seeing someone figuring themselves out in real time. It’s impossible not to feel that we’ve been walking alongside her every of her journey.
McCall brings a quiet, grounding warmth to his role as Tony, serving as both a steady presence and a mirror for Alice-Heart’s growth. He has a natural warmth and groundedness that balances Alice-Heart’s impulsive energy, making him feel both reassuring and fully alive on screen. He’s a tender guiding light for Alice-Heart. He’s the kind of person we all wish we had in our lives or someone we already know and appreciate even more after seeing their warmth reflected in Tony.
Another standout is Adam McAlonie as Lyman, Alice-Heart’s pretentious ex-boyfriend. He’s a delicious villain in every sense, confident to the point of arrogance, and completely full of himself. McAlonie gives Lyman a playful energy that makes his self-absorption funny rather than off-putting. However, there is a single scene where his smugness crosses the line and you can’t help but ball your fist and want to hurl the screen.
Macera has crafted something that feels both incredibly personal and also a shared experience in the humbling process of trial and error. It’s about discovering that life is harder than you imagined, that you’re more naïve than you thought, and that figuring yourself out takes more time and grace than anyone ever tells you. Macera approaches all of this with warmth and empathy, creating a story that feels lived-in and deeply human.
Philly has a way of making you fall in love again and again. Each neighborhood has its own personality, full of quirks and charm, and you could easily spend a whole day just wandering in awe. It’s its own gorgeous character that is full of life. Shot on location across Philadelphia, Alice-Heart is a heartfelt love letter to the city that shaped it. From the rhythmic rush of the Broad Street Line and the clatter of the Market-Frankford El to quiet nights by the Schuylkill River, the film celebrates the textures of the city. The film’s minimal score and gorgeous black-and-white cinematography add to that raw, lived-in feel. Watching it in a packed Philly theater made it even more special, especially when familiar streets and spots popped up on screen. It also gets some extra bonus points for including a neighborhood Crown Chicken that could be smelled through the screen.
Winner of the Slamdance Jury Award and Best Local Feature at the 34th Philadelphia Film Festival, Alice-Heart has been celebrated for its authenticity and the genuine heart that runs through every frame. In his striking debut, writer/director Mike Macera captures the fragile, messy beauty of finding yourself. Alice-Heart is a beautifully crafted indie film. It’s the kind of movie that’s as charming as it is honest, full of heart and humor, and driven by unforgettable performances.
