On D List of Movie Reviews

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Days of Wine and Roses (1962)

Rate: 7
Viewed: 3/25

3/25: When it comes to alcoholism, Day of Wine and Roses is as accurate as it gets.

I've always known that attending social functions, which probably reached the highest point during the 60's and 70's, is a creeping way of being hooked on alcohol. Oftentimes, they serve as an excuse to drink. Even though many people can handle it, there are some who are unable to. When they try to abstain from drinking or avoid social functions altogether, they're punished by not being seen as part of the "group" or "team."

It's among Jack Lemmon's best performances, and he was rightfully Oscar-nominated. I'm not a fan of Lee Remick but must say that she did a good job while making sure to cut down the number of infamous long stares she's wont to give. The legendary tough guy Charles Bickford is reduced to tears while Jack Klugman does well in giving his two cents, especially when it comes to the validity of Alcoholics Anonymous.

The ending is realistic compared to The Lost Weekend. Alcoholics are going to remain alcoholics, no matter what, and there will never be a cure for it. All they have to do is abstain. But I blame Joe Clay for not respecting Kirsten Arnesen's wish to be a teetotaler. Imagine if she never looked his way just once, how much different her life would've been. The only two negatives of the film are: the script can sometimes be talky and the portrayal of an alcoholic has been done better in a later film called Leaving Las Vegas.

All in all, Day of Wine and Roses is a fine dramatic film with strong performances and wonderful black-and-white photography.

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