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This classic Hollywood drama scooped the Oscars in 1945 and it is not surprising. Ray Milland is an alcoholic writer who cannot control his binge drinking. Over a torturous weekend we see how the lure of alcohol has destroyed his confidence, his self-respect and his ambition. As it threatens to eat away at his talent, he comes closer and closer to suicidal despair. From a contemporary perspective the moralistic ending may appear trite but what is undeniable is Billy Wilder’s talent at creating a film which seems to visually simulate the terrifying perspective of a drug user’s imagination. Milland too is excellent as a man who is unable to reach the goals he sets himself. As a study of writer’s block, “The Lost Weekend” is both perceptive and illuminating. Jane Wyman appears as his long-suffering lover, however the book’s original narrative linked the writer’s fear of failure to his ambiguous sexuality. An outstanding film. Based on the book by Charles Jackson.
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Collection
In ACMI's collection
Credits
Collection metadata
ACMI Identifier
306886
Language
English
Audience classification
PG
Subject categories
Advertising, Film, Journalism, Mass Media & TV → Academy awards (Motion pictures)
Courtroom, Crime, Espionage & Thrillers
Courtroom, Crime, Espionage & Thrillers → Film noir
Feature films → Feature films - United States
Food, Health, Lifestyle, Medicine, Psychology & Safety → Alcoholism
Literature → American literature - Film and video adaptations
Sound/audio
Sound
Colour
Black and White
Holdings
VHS; Access Print (Section 1)