Review of Days of Wine and Roses (1963) by Martin O — 25 May 2004
Notorious - another very good, but slightly underwhelming Hitchcock film. Similar in that respect to Psycho. I didn't buy the romance between Bergman and Grant - that aspect of the story seemed rushed. Also, the plot and energy of the film just didn't grab me like Hitchcock's films so often do.
Grand Illusion - really great, although I'm not entirely sure if it's worthy of its status as one of the greatest films ever made. I loved the ending though, even if I found the beginning a bit average.
Days of Wine and Roses - splendid and heartbreaking. Jack Lemmon gives a fantastic performance and it makes the tragedy of alcoholism seem real and powerful rather than cliche and trite. The difference between this and a film like Reefer Madness is that the film acknowledges the seductive power of the drug, and the pleasure it brings. There's a real understanding at work here which results in, for me, a film that feels really honest and open. Plus, Blake Edwards' direction is just tops.
Interesting to compare it to the Apartment as well.
This review of Days of Wine and Roses (1963) was written by Martin O on 25 May 2004.
Days of Wine and Roses has generally received very positive reviews.
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