MovieChat Forums > Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1975) Discussion > Alice (Burstyn) is a terrible singer!

Alice (Burstyn) is a terrible singer!

posted 9 years ago by brockmeeks
15 replies | jump to latest

I love Ellen Burstyn, but this movie fell flat with me.

The most jarring thing, besides that little brat of hers, was that she could not carry a tune.

In her autobio she talks about vocal lessons and really thinks she has talent in her voice.

How has this not been brought up here? I just thought it was strange.

I know that now live in a time of over-singing or "pitchy" singers. I'm just saying that she wasn't even "talk singing", and it sound decent.

[–] InherentlyYours 9 years ago

That was lip-synched, wasn't it? She sounded great. Are you confusing her with Lavin?

[–] PopperTheKungFu-Dragon 9 years ago

This.

Poorly Lived and Poorly Died, Poorly Buried and No One Cried

[–] david_hokey_16 9 years ago

I don't think she's terrible, but she wasn't someone I'd have hired as a singer.

[–] srklondie 8 years ago

I kind of figure that you're just not someone who can be easily pleased. Might have something to do with your age.

[–] puplover 8 years ago

She wasn't terrible but she wasn't someone who would ever get paid to sing in reality. I kind of think that was the point. I mean, look at the place she was employed singing. The very first scene w/ her as a child singing shows that she doesn't have much talent and this movie is about her voyage of discovery as an independent woman, not the untapped Whitney Houston level talent she never utilized. If she was a fantastic singer, this movie would have gone in a completely different direction.

[–] srklondie 8 years ago

I don't know. Like I said, the o.p. is probably kind of tough to please. Or, perhaps he doesn't have the ability to appreciate a film of this quality. I never get tired of it. I've probably seen it close to 20 times. The only Scorsese film I like better is Mean Streets. As far as Ellen's singing goes, I don't think that I've ever given it much thought. Of course, that might have something to do with my having a crush on her for about 45 years, so I might have a difficult time finding any fault with anything she does.

[–] Kompressor_Fan 8 years ago

I think that some of you are missing the point. Alice is not supposed to be a good singer. Just like her "rose colored glasses" view of Monteray, she is living in a fantasy world where her vocal talents are concerned.

Burstyn may actually have a good voice....it's people with good voices (and acting talent) that are good at portraying mediocre, or even bad singers. Look at Meryl Streep....she has a great singing voice, but she has a movie coming out where she plays a tone-deaf woman who tries to launch a singing career.

[–] srklondie 8 years ago

You should probably tell that to the o.p. and the others who can't figure that out. I got that when I first saw the film decades ago. I've had a crush on E.B. for several decades. One of the things about her that is very appealing to me is her lovely speaking voice. I also find Streep's speaking voice very easy on the ears. A little anecdote: Streep used to babysit for some people I knew at one time. I believe it was back in the early sixties ( I'd let her babysit me now, but she probably wouldn't be able to fit it into her schedule ).

[–] benGsboat 8 years ago

I've had a crush on E.B. for several decades.

I'm sure she'd be flattered that some old goat has fantasized about her since the early 70s.

[–] Kompressor_Fan 8 years ago

She's an elderly person herself, so I doubt that she has the childish contempt you have for those older than yourself.

[–] benGsboat 8 years ago

srklondie can speak for himself, KF.

Go defend someone who deserves defending.

[–] Kompressor_Fan 8 years ago

There is nothing that needs defending. I was just trying to politely point out that you're a childish idiot.

Is that better? Get it now?

[–] I_Love_Hutch 8 years ago

I don't think Alice is a bad singer. She's just got a little wiggle in her voice! 😀

"Yes, tubing, my precious one! Haven't you ever tubed?!" - Ida

[–] RobbieCalifornia 8 years ago

I don't think she had much of a voice. As much as I may have enjoyed this film several years ago, I now find Alice really annoying and her kid a brat. I'm sure that was intentional, and Burstyn did a good job.

Jodie Foster and Kris were great, Diane Lane too.

[–] Brnshp 8 years ago

Ellen has said that she knows she has a terrible voice, but she didn't want Marni Nixon to dub her, she took 6 months of singing lessons.