The Painful Truth of Addiction in "The Days of Wine and Roses" | Film Review

[@buttelatin1446]

A must see for anyone who appreciates fine films. In a supporting role, Jack Klugman also gives a memorable performance (as usual).

[@edkeaton]

Both Jack Lemmon and Lee Remick were absolutely amazing in the film. Blake Edwards did a great job with the direction and Henry Mancini's memorable, beautiful theme song was just outstanding!

[@southernexposure123]

As a young adult I saw this movie way back soon after it came out. I don't know why I thought of it in late 2023. I drank, just like a lot of young men do and alcohol made me physically thirsty for another drink. Because of this movie I became fearful of becoming an alcoholic and of suffering the losses Jack Lemon portrayed. There's movie scenes shown in this video I don't remember. What I remember most is the lost relationship. This movie was a huge factor in me becoming and remaining a teetotaler for over 50 years.

[@erskinecooney1859]

This movie has perhaps the most devastatingly depressing final scene of any film I have ever seen.

[@ricardocantoral7672]

The conclusion alone put it's above most films about addiction.

[@KDC256]

It was said that once the final scene was in the can, director Blake Edwards instructed Jack Lemon to leave the country IMMEDIATELY and don't tell him where he's going!! Edwards knew that once the studio saw the completed film, he'd be made to re-shoot the ending...and he was absolutely right. But with Lemmon being "who knows where," the studio was stuck with the film as is. A happier ending would've ruined the film, and the impact of that final scene.

[@Muushca03]

They were both unbelievably believable

[@gaelsdottir5046]

I know this film seems melodramatic to you, but as someone who worked *for* alcoholics, worked *with* alcoholics, almost married a sober alcoholic and had to make the same decision "Joe" makes at the end of the film, when my love resumed drinking and resented my sobriety? I can tell you this is not exaggerated. And as someone who tried Al-Anon while seeking a way, any way, to save that relationship? I can tell you again that this is not exaggerated. And my life experience happened more than twenty years after this film was made. The disease does not change, the only things that change are the names and faces of the people it affects. This *is* how people actually behave; it's just that, until the disease progresses to the Skid Row stage, they try to hide it from everyone but family and drinking buddies. Here, we see behind the scenes. And this is actually somewhat toned down. Mr. Lemmon and Ms. Remick become sloppy, but their appearance does not deteriorate as it does for genuine hard drinkers; their child does not appear obviously malnourished or neglected, and has no signs of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome [hard to fake in a film back then, unethical to film authentically, and unrecognized in the 60s], nor do we ever see "Joe" and "Kirsten" come to blows, though "Joe" smacks a drink out of "Kirsten's" hand in one telling scene. Believe me, real life is nowhere near as sanitized. Kudos to JP Miller who wrote the screenplay for both the original live TV play [Playhouse 90, Cliff Robertson and Piper Laurie] and the film [Jack Lemmon, Lee Remick]. Kudos to the actors and directors and everyone behind the scenes who made this work. And please check out the Playhouse 90 version of this film, the original. "Kirsten" is already a confirmed drinker when "Joe" meets her in the original, and it makes the depth of her addiction, and her speech about the world looking "too dirty" without alcohol to blur it, even more believable. Thank you for this review. I have only been able to watch the film, and the play, three decades after my own life was upended. Everything, in both versions, rang true.

[@seenasoltani1808]

I agree 1000 percent

[@joshpaine2911]

I will be watching this film tomorrow. My sponsor has suggested it for me to watch. From the clips I've seen already I total mania of looking for that hidden bottle. I look forward to seeing it

[@Cine_Historian]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@kellicoffman8440]

My mom hates this movie 🎥 because it is my aunt Helen’s story she died of alcoholism at 42 and I never got to know her. She was someone my mom loved dearly. They do a good job of telling a sad story

[@clumsydad7158]

great mention of Affliction ... and great movie to discuss, DWR, although I've never seen it, but I love Jack Lemmon. with many things as we age, alcohol can take over in disturbing, terrible ways. overall probably my favorite movies from Lemmon are some of his heaviest, including Save the Tiger and Mass Appeal.

[@Cine_Historian]

Dramatic Lemmon is so underrated.

[@lenie6]

Yes yes yes .... its a movie about truth esp of today's marital problems. Relevant radio ( a Christian yet all topics station) recommends, not only recommends but ignites families to view. Not only is it about alcoholism but how spouses need to work together head to head on their problems....I recommend to any relationship, be it alcohol, drugs, or whatever. Jack Lemon and Lee Remick outdid themselves in this provocative movie (truth be told in those days of actors/directors) which still is portrayed today. Thank you Mr Lemon for your talents and courageous acting in this movie and others. God bless

[@marcialussier2467]

I'm sure I saw this movie at one time when I was younger, not sure when it was made, I think 50s or 60s? I'm sure it must have made quite the impression on me, and when I think about it, I do remember thinking about my uncle at the time, briefly, because we all knew that he was a drunk but nobody really actually talked about it. There were family parties where he just didn't show up. One time I heard some adults talking and I remember someone said, well, you know that he's at the squeeze inn. That was the name of the bar. Eventually his wife left him, and he ended up with another woman, and apparently got in trouble a lot at work, he worked for the railroad, they sent him away a couple of times, and the very last time they sent him away, they said this is it, no more chances. If you don't do this then you're losing your job. He sobered up and remained so. Fast forward about 20 some years, after barely ever drinking at all, getting married having three kids and raising them, I got divorced, shortly after I got divorced, I ended up as a Blues singer in a few bands. The drinking started and got heavier and heavier, that I would have blackouts, and slowly over time I would hear stories about things that I did. There are things that I remember that I did too. My kids were very worried and upset, and they do not know 1/10 of the truth. I tried various things, like, okay, every other drink will be a glass of water. I will only drink a certain amount in an hour etc. Nothing worked. And then one day I was telling a friend about her mom, I thought that maybe she was getting Alzheimer's or something by the way she acted when I saw her, she was screaming at me telling me to get away from her and I barely knew her except to say hello and goodbye. Her response shook me. she said no, my mother hates you. She hates drunks. Come to find out that apparently one day at a bar, I was apparently very drunk and walking around yanking on people's arms, shouting at them wanting them to talk to me, shouting over the band. Apparently I went up to her and did exactly that, she said I smelled absolutely disgusting. they left because of me,and after that her mom insisted on driving around the area to see if my car was there and if it was they wouldn't go in. I went to AA the next day. I attended sporadically but it just didn't work for me. About a month after I quit, covid hit and was confirmed. And rught about that time, I decided that I was doing pretty good so I went out, and tried to keep track of myself, and for the first few drinks I was fine. Well before I knew it, I wasn't fine, and I ended up cruising from bar to bar, looking for my abusive ex. Thank God I didn't find him but I do recall the embarrassing behavior. I knew then that I really had a problem. I actually didn't have a problem not drinking alcohol though. Once I made up my mind I make up my mind. It turned out that i really was not addicted to the substance, and I did a lot of deep digging and soul searching and counseling And found that I really was just self-medicating. I was fine, I ended up moving cross-country, the area that I moved to sold alcohol in the grocery stores. One day I spotted A bottle of wine that said light, so I figured I could do that. Turned out it was low in sugar, not alcohol Within a very short period of time I was extremely drunk, and unfortunately, called the ex-boyfriend back home.. he was a narcissist, a cheating lying manipulator. Most of our time together was getting drunk and getting high. I haven't spoken to him for at least a year, but getting drunk opened up a mess. I invited him to come visit me, and he did, and he and I both realized, I'm sure, although we didn't talk about it, the fact that he could not control me any longer because I really had changed, and I realized I wanted nothing more to do with him. So as of February 2025 it will be 5 years sober, and except for those two occasions I mentioned, I have remained sober. I started to moderate about a two years ago, and today, I can have a glass of beer, just one. I don't crave another one. Sometimes I'll order a beer at a restaurant and won't even touch it. I would say this happens maybe once every 4 months or so. My life is completely changed, and closer with my family now, I am even being trusted to spend time alone with my three year old granddaughter. And, I have not seen or spoken to him ever since he left here, which was 2 years ago. Ago. I think the biggest thing is digging down deep to find out why you're doing this to yourself. So seeing this today, and remembering that movie, I actually was seeing myself. I never got a ticket, never an accident. I am just really really lucky, and this is the way it's going to be from now on. Thank you, and I wish you all of the success in the world if you are trying to get sober. You really are worth it. Sending love❤

[@Eiriririruttitjejri]

Great film. Thanks for the Review ❤

[@Twentythousandlps]

The best scene is where she comes on to her dad - a shocker!

[@Muushca03]

What a waste of my life - 7 yrs. I was introduced to wine with a fancy dinner and a sweet functional alcoholic that was all she wrote. God had other plans for me 20 yrs ago now.🙏 thank you, my Lord

[@jacobbrewer6265]

great video man. keep up good work!

[@Cine_Historian]

Thank you I appreciate it!

[@anyonymswede]

It was the first American film I saw that Did not have a happy ending.

[@ricardocantoral7672]

I see it as life going on.

[@ancientappalachian3405]

With respect for your efforts, please no music next time. We'd like to hear what you said.