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The Lost
Weekend
This week's new release, 28 Days, surprised
me when I first learned about it. A comedy about alcoholism? Except for Jimmy
Stewart's Harvey, some of the greatest
movies and performances have been about the tragedy of alcoholism. From
Clean and Sober to
Leaving Las Vegas to
When a Man Loves a Woman to this week's
classic selection, The Lost Weekend,
actors and actresses often have done their best work when depicting the dark
side of drinking.
Ray Milland stars as Don, a failed writer who has turned to the bottle. He
has just given up drinking and his brother, Wick (Phillip Terry), is about
to take him on a long weekend vacation in the country. However, ten days
without booze has got Don on edge. He sees his opportunity to get away from
Wick and takes off on a bender.
Will Don finally learn his lesson or will this be the end of his life?
Milland never had a stellar career, even though he starred in many films
and television. The Lost Weekend was
his tour de force. It's one of the first hard hitting looks at alcoholism
and Milland shines as we learn about his character and all the events that
lead up to the wild weekend. It would be very easy to dismiss Don as a loser
drunk. However, Milland brings sympathy to the character by showing his agony
and shame for what he has become and his desire to get clean. The audience
learns that he wants to quit drinking, but it is killing him like any other
disease.
Writer and director Billy Wilder also shows us the impact of Don's actions
on those that he loves. Terry does a good job as brother Wick, who is fed
up with trying to help Don. His frustration and attitude are very realistic.
Also, Jane Wyman does a great job as Don's girlfriend, Helen, who will do
anything to help the man she loves, even though he doesn't deserve it.
Although the film might seem a little overdramatic to us, it fits the style
of the time. Don't let that put you off from a great movie. If you thought
Nicolas Cage was amazing in Leaving Las
Vegas, check out Ray Milland in The Lost
Weekend.
Grade:
A
Directed by Billy Wilder
Written by Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett
Cast
Ray Milland
... Don
Jane Wyman
. Helen
Phillip Terry
.. Wick
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