Review of The Lost Weekend (1945) by Jennifer A — 01 Mar 2007

Hollywood takes a dark turn in this 1945 film about alcoholism. Review below.

[b]The Lost Weekend (1945) - 8/10[/b].

Director - Billy Wilder.

Starring - Ray Milland, Jane Wyman, Philip Terry, Howard Da Silva, Doris Dowling, Frank Faylen.

Billy Wilder's [i]The Lost Weekend [/i]sharply contrasts with most of what Hollywood was producing in the mid 40's. One of the first films to truly address alcoholism, it's unsentimental and bleak. Ray Milland, in an Academy Award winning performance, plays Don Birnam, a former writer so lost in the bottle that he can't function without alcohol. His brother (Philip Terry), girlfriend Helen (Jane Wyman) and even a local bartender Nat (Howard Da Silva) do everything to provide emotional support, to no avail. Any chance Don get's to drink, he does.

The acting is superb, namely Milland who would never come close to a performance of this caliber again. The story is extremely well-written especially considering the subject matter and the period this film was made. And the direction is masterful. Excellent use of NYC as a backdrop, especially during the desperate pawn shop walk of Don. Wilder's use of closeups also effectively create a bleak atmosphere. Although this isn't my favorite film dealing with alcohol or substance abuse, it certainly deserves recognition for being the first major film to bring this subject to the forefront.