The Lost Weekend (1945)

October 20, 2022 11:29 AM

Writer Don Birnam (Ray Milland) is on the wagon. Sober for only a few days, Don is supposed to be spending the weekend with his brother, Wick (Phillip Terry), but, eager for a drink, Don convinces his girlfriend (Jane Wyman) to take Wick to a show. Don, meanwhile, heads to his local bar and misses the train out of town. After recounting to the bartender (Howard da Silva) how he developed a drinking problem, Don goes on a weekend-long bender that just might prove to be his last.

Directed by Billy Wilder. Screenplay by Charles Brackett and Billy Wilder. Based on the novel by Charles R. Jackson.

97% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

JustWatch listing.

posted by DirtyOldTown (4 comments total)

I love this movie. It's by far my favorite Wilder. And the book is good too.
posted by chavenet at 12:38 PM on October 21, 2022

As a recovering alcoholic, I can testify to how accurate this movie is in portraying the misery and horror of active alcoholism. The scene that really resonated with me is when he's at the theatre and the only thing he can concentrate on isn't the play or the dialogue but a jug of wine that's being poured as part of the plot. I remember that feeling so well.

Ray Milland is so good and although it was made decades ago, its message still hits hard with me.
posted by essexjan at 2:35 PM on October 21, 2022 [1 favorite]

This was the movie that convinced me that old movies were as good as ones released in my lifetime.
posted by rhizome at 12:52 AM on October 23, 2022 [1 favorite]

The equivalent holiday on which Jewish pawnbrokers should close in solidarity with their Catholic ones is Good Friday rather than St Patrick's day
posted by brujita at 6:46 PM on October 25, 2022