Thinking about Still Alice. I watched the movie last night. Julianne Moore is undeniably compelling as Alice Howland, and I was moved by her performance. But it has made me think about the book.

Alzheimer’s Disease is an important topic. Its insidious tentacles reach out to impact a countless number of families. Increased awareness leads to more funding for research that will hopefully result in treatment that will delay its progress and lead to a cure. A movie can do that. A movie that can boast of an Academy Award winning lead actor and great reviews has the power to draw a large audience. And that’s important. But I found myself remembering the book, and perhaps unfairly, wanting more from the movie.

That’s the luxury of a book. A well written book can let you into the lives of the characters. In the book, Still Alice, the husband and children are vivid characters whose lives are upended along with Alice’s. The time constraints of a movie require that choices be made, but the book provided insights into what is, in reality, a disease that affects the entire family.

I recognized Alice Howland through Julianne Moore’s portrayal in the movie, but I missed meeting her husband and children. Grateful that I had gotten to know them in the book.