Review of The Lost Weekend (1945) by Calib M — 29 Feb 2016

Other than the compellingly raw performance by Ray Milland as the drunk, failed writer, Don Birnam, there isn't much to this story. I think it utterly ridiculous to suppose that the love of a good woman can save him.

First, Don is a dick. There aren't any layers to his person. He's simply a drunk dick. Second, it is impossible to believe that Helen (played by Jane Wyman) would put up with a drunk dick for several years.

It's hard to respect her. Perhaps if Don had been better layered as a character, that we could see something redeeming in him, then there would have beeen something to hang on to and to root for in him.