Alice is the story of a wife, and mother, who is terminally privileged, yet wants more, though can never pinpoint what it is that she wants.
In other words, it's the story of a woman having a midlife crisis.
This movie has all of the elements one would expect from Allen, however the tone is wobbly, as if this were made by someone doing their best Woody Allen impression.
I think the issue may be with our titular lead, herself. Mia Farrow is an amazing actor, but was miscast here. One only needs to see her in September to know what she can bring to a Woody Allen film.
Allen is a master at making three types of movies: smart comedies, whimsical romance, and heavy drama. He can also blend those colors to great effect. Alice is the first time I have seen this artistry fail. It's a heavy drama, but keeps trying to use romance and comedy to lift the mood, and it just doesn't work. I never believed Alice as the typical nervous Allen invention, stumbling over her words while jazz plays in the background.
The moments when the movie shines are in the touching scenes with her mother or with the ghost of a dead boyfriend. Whereas the fantastic moments like turning invisible or talking to her muse just don't fit.
Alice does eventually have a nice arc, but it came across as rushed, and lazy.
I see what was intended with the story, but it never got off the ground.