Movie: The Lost Weekend

Release Date: November 29, 1945

Director: Billy Wilder

Starring: Ray Milland, Jane Wyman

Personal History: Never Watched Before

Rating: 6.25 Oscars out of 10

‘The Lost Weekend’ was a commercial success when initially released and admired by critics. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards and went on to win four, including Best Picture. Billy Wilder also won for Best Director. Although I had never watched this film before, I was very familiar with Mr. Wilder as he directed one of my favorite movies of all time, ‘Some Like It Hot.’

If this movie is anything, it is the exact opposite of ‘Some Like It Hot.’ But that doesn’t mean I did not enjoy it. ‘The Lost Weekend’ is just a 180 degree turn from the screwball comedy aspects of that Marilyn Monroe classic.

A deep, dark look at alcoholism and its effects on those who suffer from the disease as well as their loved ones is not a film that induces a lot of smiles. At times, it is pretty harsh. The plot is pretty simple. It takes the look at Don Birnam, the said alcoholic, and how he spends a four day weekend (maybe why I keep mistakenly calling this movie ‘The Long Weekend’) spiraling into drinking, depression, hysteria and suicidal thoughts.

It is definitely a dark movie and not easy to watch but captivating enough thanks to the Academy Award winning performance of its star, Ray Milland. Mr. Milland handles the tough job of playing “drunk” without taking it over-the-top, which can easily be done. His performance can be triggering to those suffering from diseases such as alcoholism and depression. Although there is some melodramatic moments, the portrayal is steeped in realism.

‘The Lost Weekend’ is a pretty straight forward drama in today’s standards but I can see why in 1945 it caused a stir. Based on a novel by Charles R. Jackson, it is a pretty ground-breaking attempt to look through the eyes of a person dealing with alcoholism. One might say it was ahead of its time as we as a society still grapple with the ideas that it is a serious illness. Kudos for the Academy to recognize a film like this in its early years.