Alice Sweet Alice (1976) aka Communion aka Holy Terror

3.5 / 5
Tagline: If You Survive This Night...Nothing Will Scare You Again.
Directed By: Alfred Sole
Written By: Alfred Sole, Rosemary Ritvo
Actors Include: Paula E. Sheppard, Linda Miller, Brooke Shields
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Length: 108 minutes
Banned: Iceland
Country: USA

Review:
Without having seen the movie I actually shelled out $28 dollars for it just because it looked like it was going to be awesome. It wasn't worth what I paid but at least parts of it (mainly the first half) were great, and it was shot very competently at least! The big issue with this film is how sheerly confusing. I mean the basics are there and I think I understand them, but nothing is really clearly explained, nor is motive necessarily. I did look this film up afterwards to see what had just happened because I definitely wasn't sure. That's not a sign of a good $28 movie, now is it? Well in the beginning we watch the spoiled Brooke Shields character (Nancy) get a fancy new communion dress and necklace from the priest while her older sister Alice is basically ignored and or blamed for every little thing. I hate to say that it reminded me of a slightly over the top version of my own childhood, but it's honest seeming and relatable. We see Alice in a yellow rain slicker and she seems to have lots of creepy looking semi-transparent masks she likes to wear. Because she is jealous she plays little pranks on her sister to frighten her. Then we move to communion, but before Nancy can come out she is strangled and lit on fire! From here others start dying and we are pretty much led to believe that Alice is the culprit. Whom is doing what is a big question mark and motive is a bit sketchy too. It has a lot to do with Catholicism (which doesn't mean a lot to me) and the fact that Alice and Nancy's mother is considered a "whore" by a Nun-like character. Confused yet? I sure was. Still it was entertaining and the first half was wonderful, it's just a shame that this is as clear as mud, it could have been a creepy tidy little thriller but nooooo.